| Volume 08 | Issue 1 | January 7, 2008 |
Welcome to Monday Morning in Washington, D.C., published weekly by The Arc of the United States. We will bring to you news of interest to self advocates and their families, volunteers, professionals, and supporters of the disability movement. Please send any comments to mmwdc@thearc.org. You are welcome to reproduce and distribute items from Monday Morning in Washington, D.C., but please credit Monday Morning in Washington, D.C. (The Arc of the United States, 2007).
The Arc of the United States advocates for the rights and full participation of all children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Together with our network of members and affiliated chapters, we improve systems of supports and services; connect families; inspire communities; and influence public policy.
[NOTE: Having trouble reading this newsletter? Read it online.] [Past Issues]
The newly established consortia are:
While there is no general explanation of these administrative changes, it is clear that the new Consortium for Medicaid and Children’s Health Operations will be the focal point for all CMS activities relating to the Medicaid program, including serving as the point of contact for all state and local officials on the Medicaid program and the home and community based waiver. The Federal Register announcement provides further details about the responsibilities of each of the four new consortia: http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-25305.pdf
Family Voices of ND Share the Wealth WeekUpdated State Snapshots have been posted online and can be accessed at MCHB’s Title V Information System (TVIS) Web Reports - https://perfdata.hrsa.gov/mchb/mchreports/search/search.asp. Each State Snapshot contains an overview of the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) program for each of the 59 states and jurisdictions that receive funding from the Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant. The information is based on the data the State submitted in TVIS for the fiscal year 2006 annual report as well as other data sources such as the U.S. Census and CDC. Each snapshot presents basic information about the state, such as the MCH program description, population, number of live births, Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) partnership funding, hotline data, and contact information for the MCH and Children with Special Health Care Needs Directors. Additionally, breakdowns of the expenditures by population served, source of funds, and category of service are shown as graphics. The 2006 results and 2011 goals for the national outcome and performance measures, as well as the State performance measures, are displayed. A list of MCHB discretionary grants awarded to both public and private organizations in the state is included, showing the extent of MCHB funding in helping to address the health issues of maternal and child health populations.
NECTAC eNotes - January 3, 2008
The current issue of NECTAC eNotes is rather lengthy and contains great information. To read all this great information just click on this URL to read the current issue. http://www.nectac.org/enotes/enotes.asp.
Video to Help Persons with Disabilities Prepare for Disaster
People with disabilities and special needs may need to make specific preparations for emergencies. This new, five-minute Homeland Security video provides helpful information on how to do so in three easy steps—(1) Get an Emergency Supply Kit; (2) Make a family emergency plan; and (3) Be informed about different types of emergencies. Viewers may download a list of items for an emergency supply kit - http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/disabled.html should contain, including special supplies needed for one’s health and safety.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
CDC announced a podcast on the use of family history in pediatric settings is now available at: “Family History—An Early Warning for Your Child” - http://www2a.cdc.gov/podcasts/player.asp?f=7307 features Dr. Paula Yoon and Dr. Tracy Trotter, and is intended for the general public. Let others in your community know about it.
Innovative New “Community of Practice” Website has Launched
This fall the Beach Center on Disability at the University of Kansas launched an innovative, online communication tool called a “Community of Practice (CoP)” so that families of children with cognitive disabilities, the professionals who serve them, researchers and policy makers could learn from each other. Since it was launched, more than 100 family members, practitioners and researchers have connected via the CoP to discuss Early Childhood Family Supports.
A computer is the only item needed to join this community of learners. The CoP differs from ordinary blogs, discussion boards, or e-mails in that members of the community can join in the conversation as it is taking place, or read, reflect and comment later. A facilitator monitors and weaves together multiple conversations to keep participants engaged. Photos, documents and web links can be posted. Membership is free, and members have access to additional features such as meeting space to use for ongoing discussions; an online library; and space to share comments and ideas. To access the Community of Practice, go to the Beach Center website - http://www.beachcenter.org/ and click on Communities of Practice. Then select the Early Childhood Support link.
Proposed Medicaid Regulations Pose Threats to Children
Recent proposed rule changes issued by the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will significantly alter states use of federal Medicaid dollars for certain rehabilitative and targeted case management services. The proposed regulations, as currently written, pose a substantial threat to thousands of vulnerable children and youth in foster care who require specialized health care services. http://www.voices.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Childrens_Policy/Speaking_Out!/Speaking_Out!_-_12_17_2007/Speaking_Out!_-_12_17_2007.htm#6
Bullying in schools and communities is a more common problem than many people realize. PACER's (Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights)
Bullying Prevention Project is working to raise awareness of this behavior. Most importantly, they are also working to put a stop to it throughout schools and communities and especially emphasize prevention and awareness for children with disabilities that experience bullying. The PACER website contains a kid-friendly webpage that victims of bullying can visit for support and information, as well as resources for parents and professionals. To learn more about this program, visit: http://www.pacer.org/bullying/index.asp
The Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) launched the Integrated Care Program (ICP) to help states integrate the financing, delivery, and administration of supports and services for those dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare.
Five states were selected to participate – Florida, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, and Washington. Over the two-year initiative, CHCS has collected and/or developed a number of tools and publications related to integrated care. This online toolkit is designed to facilitate the sharing of key resources that are used by, or that were developed on behalf of, the ICP states. http://www.chcs.org/publications3960/publications_show.htm?doc_id=606732
Is your organization Family Friendly???? Family Friendly Checklist for Organizations
Family friendly is a term that applies to how and to what extent organizations involve, welcome, and value the participation of family members in every aspect of the organization. In an effort to increase awareness about family friendly organizations, the Ohio Family Support Council (FSCouncil) developed two Family Friendly Check Lists: one for families and one for staff in organizations. The Check Lists can help administrators determine if their organization has adopted family friendly practices and may give the staff of an organization ideas for improving family friendly approaches in specific areas. Administrators can also compare staff perceptions compared to family member responses. The checklist for agencies can be found here: http://olrs.ohio.gov/Other/checklistagency.pdf . The checklist for families can be found here: http://olrs.ohio.gov/Other/checklistfamily.pdf
"Newborn Screening Tests: They Could Save Your Baby's Life"The information is a general information brochure that is available in English as well as 15 other languages: Arabic, Bosnian/Serbo-Croatian, Chinese (Traditional & Simplified), French, Haitian Creole, Italian, Khmer, Lao, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese. The brochures can be found on the NERGG web site at www.nergg.org/nbsbrochures.php
New Bright Futures Guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
The 3rd edition of Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children and Adolescents has just been released. This edition replaces previous editions and provides comprehensive guidelines and anticipatory guidance. Like the previous editions, this update is grounded in the philosophy that effective health promotion and disease prevention requires the coordinated effort of health professionals and families. The new edition contains priorities for each of the 31 recommended health visits. There are ten themes addressed throughout: family support, child development, mental health, healthy weight, healthy nutrition, physical activity, sexuality, safety and injury prevention, and community relationships and resources. This edition includes children with special needs throughout and substantive attention is given to cultural competence. Click to learn more. https://www.nfaap.org/netforum/eweb/dynamicpage.aspx?site=nf.aap.org&webcode=aapbks_productdetail&key=68eca6db-7d0d-4ffd-b264-a334b9876ea6
New from Pediatrics, "Quality Medical Homes: Meeting Children's Needs for Therapeutic and Supportive Services"
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/peds.2007-0066v1
The Institute for Child Health Policy at the University of Florida recently developed a video entitled “This Is Health Care Transition”.
This video was developed with funding from Children’s Medical Services, Florida’s Title V CSHCN Program. The goal of the video is to help youth and young adults with chronic health conditions and their families be better prepared for adulthood, especially the move from pediatric to adult-oriented health care. This video is available on the web at: http://video.ichp.ufl.edu/tihct.php This video can be viewed as a streaming video, and can also be downloaded, and then shown to youth and families from a computer. ICHP has developed an online brochure that describes and provides access to all of their health care transition products. It is available at: http://hctransitions.ichp.ufl.edu/hct-promo/
Developmental Screening in Primary Care:
The Effectiveness of Current Practice and Recommendations for Improvement summarizes research on the effectiveness of current efforts by primary care health professionals to detect developmental delays in early childhood and considers ways to improve outcomes for young children and families. The December 2007 report, published by the Commonwealth Fund, is based on a review of the literature to (1) assess the effectiveness of primary care practices in identifying developmental delays in young children, (2) describe practices related to identifying developmental delays, and (3) identify factors that affect practice. The report is available at
http://www.commonwealthfund.org/usr_doc/1082_Sices_developmental_screening_primary_care.pdf?section=4039
New Report Shows Increasing Burden of Health Care Costs on American Families
Families USA has released a new report, Too Great a Burden: Americas Families at Risk - http://www.familiesusa.org/resources/publications/reports/too-great-a-burden.html. This report reveals the numbers of Americans who are in families that will spend more than 10 percent, and more than 25 percent, of their pre-tax income on health care costs in 2008. The main findings of the report include the following: 1)Nearly one out of four Americans under the age of 65 (61.6 million) are in families that will spend more than 10 percent of their pre-tax income on health care costs in 2008, and 84.2 percent of these people have health insurance. 2) Of the 17.8 million non-elderly Americans who are in families that will spend more than 25 percent of their income on health care costs in 2008, more than three-quarters have health insurance. 3) Between 2000 and 2008, the number of people in families spending more than 10 percent of their income on health care costs will have increased by nearly 19.9 million. 4)During the same time period, the number of people in families spending more than 25 percent of their income on health care costs will have increased by 6.2 million.
The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) has released the 27th Annual Report to Congress on the Implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 2005.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that the Department of Education report annually on the progress made toward the provision of a free appropriate public education to all children with disabilities and the provision of early intervention services to infants and toddlers with disabilities. The report consists of two volumes. Volume 1 focuses on the children and students being served under IDEA. Topics covered include trends in numbers and percentages of infants, toddlers, preschool, and school-age children served; educational environments of preschool-age children; declassification of elementary school-age students; and characteristics of secondary students served for emotional disturbance. Volume 2 contains state-level data profiles.
The report is available at http://www.ed.gov/about/reports/annual/osep/2005/parts-b-c/index.html.
FROM: CWD Working for Tomorrow November newsletter
DisabilityInfo.gov
Eligibility for Benefits Update: How to Appeal a Decision on Your Social Security Disability Claim Online
This is the starting point to request a review of SSA's medical decision about your eligibility for disability benefits. There are two parts to this Internet Appeal process: (1) an Appeal Request Internet form and, (2) an Appeal Disability Report that gives us more information about your condition. You can complete both forms online. This information has recently been updated, and is can be accessed by visiting this link: http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/digov-public/public/DisplayPage.do?parentFolderId=169.
Housing News & Events Update: $1.5 Billion to Support Homeless Programs Nationwide
This funding will offer transitional and permanent supportive housing to more than 168,000 homeless individuals, and support programs that help to pay rent and provide permanent housing for disabled homeless individuals and their families. This information has recently been updated, and can be accessed by visiting this link: http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/digov-public/public/DisplayPage.do?parentFolderId=5041
Transportation News & Events Update: Managing the Cost of ADA Paratransit Services
After several years of full compliance with the paratransit provisions of the ADA, many transit systems are seeing continuing increases in cost. This two-day workshop will bring together participants from a variety of systems to compare experiences with managing costs and review available information about successful cost management methods. Workshops are currently scheduled in Portland, OR, Baltimore, MD and Mesquite, TX. This information has recently been updated, and can be accessed by visiting this link: http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/digov-public/public/DisplayPage.do?parentFolderId=5010
Health News & Events Update: Medicare & You 2008
Summary of Medicare benefits, rights and protections and answers to the most frequently asked questions about Medicare. The entire document may be downloaded in .pdf format. http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/10050.pdf
This information has recently been updated, and can be accessed by visiting this link: http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/digov-public/public/DisplayPage.do?parentFolderId=138
Technology News & Events Update: 23rd Annual International Technology & Persons with Disabilities Conference
The 23rd Annual International Technology & Persons with Disabilities Conference will take place from March 10-15, 2008 in Los Angeles, CA. This conference is for people with disabilities, special education teachers, occupational and physical therapists, rehabilitation service providers, assistive technology practitioners and suppliers and others interested in learning how technology can advance the independence of people with disabilities. This information has recently been updated, and can be accessed by visiting this link: http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/digov-public/public/DisplayPage.do?parentFolderId=5015.
The Disability Law & Policy e-Newsletter
Information Courtesy:
Law, Health Policy & Disability Center, The University of Iowa
To subscribe to this free e-newsletter, go to http://disability.law.uiowa.edu/lhpdc/publications/news.html and subscribe to the "Disability Law & Policy e-Newsletter."
The e-Newsletter is archived at http://disability2.law.uiowa.edu/
Microsoft and Daisy Make Word Talk
Microsoft, the personal computer and software giant, has teamed up with Daisy, creator of digital talking books, to create a talking version of Word 2003 and 2007. These programs are designed to assist people who are blind or reading impaired better use the popular word processing applications.
Full story: Dana Blankenhorn, Microsoft and Daisy Will Make Word Speak, ZDNet Healthcare (November 14, 2007), available at http://healthcare.zdnet.com/?p=483
Yahoo E-Mail for Person with Visual Impairments
Yahoo! India has developed a program for people who are blind to access Yahoo! Mail services. The program reportedly works with any standard screen reader software to identify what is displayed on the screen then convey it to the user with text-to-speech sound icons and Braille output.
Full story: BS Reporter, Yahoo! Mail is Now for the Blind, Business Standard (November 22, 2007), available at http://www.business-standard.com/iceworld/storypage.php?leftnm=8&subLeft=1&chklogin=N&autono=305047&tab=r
CMS Publishes List of Low Performing Nursing Homes
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has published a list of the poorest performing nursing homes. The list is intended to identify chronically underperforming nursing homes, as well as facilities with a "yo-yo" history of compliance and noncompliance. The 128 facilities on the list have been designated special focus facilities (SFFs) and are subject to additional standard surveys and a policy of progressive enforcement. CMS says the purpose of the list is to equip consumers with information and to promote improvements in the standard of care in identified nursing homes.
Full Story:
Press Release, CMS, CMS Publishes National List of Poor-Performing Nursing Homes, Key Tool for Families Seeking Quality Care (November 29, 2007), available at
http://communitydispatch.com/Health_News___Health_Resources_25/Poor-Performing_Nursing_Homes_Medicare_Release_First_Ranking_of_the_Nation_s_Poor_Performing_List.shtml
REFERENCE POINTS:
Resource Guide for Serving Refugees with Disabilities
The Resource Guide for Serving Refugees with Disabilities is written as a how-to for caseworkers and advocates who serve refugees with disabilities. It was developed in an effort to improve access to services for newly arrived refugees with disabilities. With an increasing number of refugees with disabilities resettled in the U.S., there is a greater need for effective and coordinated care. This resource guide includes a section on benefits for refugees with disabilities, housing, citizenship and disabilities, laws related to disabilities, other sections on disability-related topics as well as additional resources of interest. To access the resource guide, go to http://www.refugees.org/article.aspx?id=1965 . Funding for this project was provided through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Refugee Resettlement.
DOE Releases Annual Report to Congress on Implementation of the IDEA
The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) has released the 27th Annual Report to Congress on the Implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 2005. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that the Department of Education report annually on the progress made toward the provision of a free appropriate public education to all children with disabilities and the provision of early intervention services to infants and toddlers with disabilities. The report consists of two volumes. Volume 1 focuses on the children and students being served under IDEA. Topics covered include trends in numbers and percentages of infants, toddlers, preschool, and school-age children served; educational environments of preschool-age children; declassification of elementary school-age students; and characteristics of secondary students served for emotional disturbance. Volume 2 contains state-level data profiles.
The report is available at http://www.ed.gov/about/reports/annual/osep/2005/parts-b-c/index.html.
FROM: CWD Working for Tomorrow November newsletter
New Report from the Center on Education Policy
The Center on Education Policy recently released the sixth annual report on state high school exit exams in the United States. Since 2002, CEP has performed the most comprehensive study into the policy, practice, implementation and impact of state high school exit exams. The report, based on information collected from 26 states with current or planned exit exams, shows that exit exams remain a force in American education, currently affecting the majority of U.S. high school students. The report highlights recent developments in state implementation, including withholding diplomas, and recommendations to increase the effectiveness of the exams.The report also contains expanded areas of reporting on changes that have occurred over the past year in intervention (strategies used to raise initial pass rates) and remediation (strategies used to raise cumulative pass rates) at both the state and local levels with an emphasis on those efforts aimed at closing the achievement gaps. The report is now available on line at http://www.cep-dc.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=document.showDocumentByID&nodeID=1&DocumentID=224
New Harvard Family Research Project Resources
FAMILY INVOLVEMENT IN MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL
"Family Involvement in Middle and High School Students' Education" is the newest brief from the Harvard Family Research Project. The third in a series, this brief f synthesizes research studies that link family involvement in middle and high school to youth's academic and social outcomes. It profiles evaluated programs to show what works to promote family involvement and student achievement during this critical developmental period and highlights how you can use this research to promote effective policies and practices. The two previous papers investigated family involvement in early childhood and elementary school settings. Taken together, these briefs make the case that family involvement predicts academic achievement and social development as children progress from early childhood programs through K-12 schools and into higher education or postsecondary settings. http://www.gse.harvard.edu/hfrp/projects/fine/resources/research/adolescent.html
FAMILY-STRENGTHENING PROGRAMS THAT WORK
This brief, entitled "Lessons From Family-Strengthening Interventions: Learning From Evidence-Based Practice," complements the "Family Involvement Makes a Difference" series with valuable information about creating successful programs and evaluations. In it, the authors review family-strengthening interventions serving youth that have been rigorously evaluated through experimental studies and find some common elements among successful programs. http://www.gse.harvard.edu/hfrp/projects/fine/resources/research/lessons.html
You can sign up to receive monthly updates from the Harvard Family Research Project's The Family Involvement Network of Educators (FINE) by going to http://www.gse.harvard.edu/hfrp/projects/fine/joinfine.html.
The Family Involvement Network of Educators (FINE) is a national network of over 8,000 people who are interested in promoting strong partnerships between children's educators, their families, and their communities. FINE's membership is composed of faculty in higher education, school professionals, directors and trainers of community-based and national organizations, parent leaders, and graduate students. http://www.finenetwork.org
Mathematica Releases Evaluation of the Ticket to Work Program
Mathematica Policy Research recently released an evaluation of the Ticket to Work Program (TTW). The report examines experiences of Beneficiaries, State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies (VR), Employment Networks (ENs), and the Social Security Administration (SSA) during the TTW rollout period from 2002-2004. Overall, Mathematica found that the Ticket to Work Program did not have a significant impact on the way VR does business or on the practices of ENs in the community. TTW did, however, begin a fundamental shift within SSA toward focusing on improving the earnings of beneficiaries. Other major findings include:
The full evaluation can be found at http://www.mathematica-mpr.com/publications/pdfs/TTWpostrolloutvol1.pdf
FROM: CWD Working for Tomorrow November newsletter
New Study By World Health Organization Establishes Benchmark On Services And Resources Available For People With Intellectual Disabilities In 147 Countries
Atlas: Global Resources for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities from the World Health Organization is a benchmark study on the services and resources available for 95% of the world's population with intellectual disabilities in 147 countries. The study charts information in the following areas: terms and classification used to describe the disability; policy and legislation; financing and benefits; prevention efforts; health and social care services; human resources and training initiatives; research and information systems; and the role of NGOs and international organizations. Atlas is a solid first step towards understanding the world of intellectual disability. http://www.who.int/mental_health/evidence/atlas_id_2007.pdf
FROM: AAIDD
Steve Gold, The Disability Odyssey continues
Medicaid's Targeted Case Management - Information Bulletin #232 (12/07).
Forty-one States in FY 2006 received substantial Medicaid funds (from
$10 m up to $419m per year) for MA's "Targeted Case Management" services.
On July 25, 2000, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services'
Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services wrote that Targeted Case
management services could be provided "to institutionalized persons who
are about to leave the institution, to facilitate the process of
transition to community services."
CMS wrote that these services could be used "to enable the person to
gain access to needed medical, social, educational and other services in
the community," including housing, rental subsidies, personal attendant
care services. CMS noted that it was encouraging States to use these
services in response to the Supreme Court's Olmstead decision.
CMS told your State that Medicaid's federal reimbursement for Targeted
Case Management services "may be furnished during the last 180 consecutive
days of a medicaid eligible person's institutional stay, if [the Targeted
Case Management services were] provided for the purpose of community
transition."
Put simply, States received federal reimbursement for the case
management work it provided to persons in nursing homes and other
institutions while these persons were still in the institution and were
making all the necessary preparations to move back to the community.
We know that it takes quite a bit of time to transition people from
institutions to the community. People often must obtain identification
papers (a birth certificate, divers' license, baptism papers), apply for
community benefits (food stamps, paratransit eligibility), make
applications for affordable, accessible, integrated housing (whether
public housing, vouchers, or other housing), as well as obtain appropriate
durable medical equipment (many may need a motorized wheelchair which the
nursing facility or other institution frequently did not provide).
CMS has issued an "Interim Final Rule" which will limit federal
reimbursement for "transitioning to a community setting" to 60 days from
the current 180 days. CMS has offered no explanation for the reduction
and offered no examples of States' abusing the 180 days or any other
reason for the reduction.
While it would be terrific if all the work could be accomplished in 60
days and the person transitioned to the community within 60 days, we all
know that in many cases that is not possible. Even CMS does not respond
to inquiries regarding SSDI or Medicare within 60 days!
Please write to: Dept of Health and Human Services, Attention
CMS -2237 -IFC, PO Box 8016, Baltimore, MD 21244-8016, Re: Case Management
Services' Interim Final Rule" and let Secretary Michael O. Leavitt hear
your concern. Don't delay. This must be done ASAP.
This CMS rule was issued on 12/4/07 and the comment period ends on 02/04/08. You must have your comments in by 02/04/08.
1. You can electronically submit comments to http://www.cms.hhs.gov/eRulemaking
Click on the link "submit electronic comments on CMS regulations with
an open comment period." Use Word format. Remember to cite correct CMS
file number.
2. Or by regular mail to:
Department of Health and Human Services
Attention CMS -2237 -IFC.
P.O.Box 8016
Baltimore, MD 21244-8016
Please use the correct CMS file number.
If you want to read the entire Interim Rule, you can find it at
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/07-5903.pdf
Back issues of other Information Bulletins are available online at http://www.stevegoldada.com
with a searchable Archive at this site divided into different subjects. To contact Steve Gold directly, write to stevegoldada@cs.com or call
215-627-7100.
USDA's Rental Assistance Program - Information Bulletin # 233 (1/08)
Many housing advocates for people with disability look only to HUD
(vouchers, HOME, CDBG, public housing) or IRS (Low-income housing tax
credits) for housing. In this Information Bulletin, we look at the U.S.
Department of Agriculture for housing. While the USDA provides funding
for home owners and single family housing, we're going to look only at
rental housing for multiple-family housing.
The USDA funds both capital costs to construct/ rehabilitate and also
rental assistance, so that low income persons can afford to rent the
units.
The USDA "Rental Assistance" program provides rental subsidies - "housing
vouchers" - to those units that it has funded with capital funds. These
rental subsidies are just like HUD's project-based vouchers; they go with
the USDA rental unit but not with the individual. If a person is lucky
enough to reside in a USDA multifamily "rental assistance" unit, like
HUD's vouchers, the person pays only a portion of the rent and the USDA "rental assistance" subsidizes the rest of the rent.
In FY 2006, the USDA provided new Rental Assistance awards for nearly
42,000 units, which was in addition to the many existing units that also
receive USDA Rental Assistance.
As of 9/30/07, nearly 60% (266,228) of the USDA total multifamily rental
units (441,534) receive "Rental Assistance" subsidies.
Below we provide by State a breakdown of the total number of USDA rental
assistance properties the number of Rental Assistance units (i.e., those
with project-based subsidies) out of the total number of USDA funded
rental units.
To find the city and street address of the USDA properties in your State
with both the specific number of units and the specific number that
receives rental assistance, go to www.nhtinc.org, click on subsidized
housing data, then go to your State and click on USDA Section 515.
These USDA units must comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
and must have at least five percent of their units accessible for people
with a mobility disability and another one percent for visual and for
hearing disabilities. People who require the accessible features should
be residing in those units.
Advocates should know where these properties are located, how many units
in each property receives a "Rental Assistance" subsidy, and whether
Section 504 has been complied with.
Here are two web links that will help you locate USDA multifamily units in
your State and
USDA and the Rural Housing Service have a very good link for locating
multifamily USDA developments in a town or zip code. It is at:
http://rdmfhrentals.sc.egov.usda.gov/RDMFHRentals/mfh_state_text?srch=Y
They also have state maps for county-by-county searches.
http://rdmfhrentals.sc.egov.usda.gov/RDMFHRentals/
The state by state numbers are available by clicking on http://www.stevegoldada.com/stevegoldada/archive.php?mode=A&id=233;&sort=D
The first column of numbers lists the total number of properties in the
USDA "Multifamily Housing Portfolio." The second column lists the number
of units in the properties that receive a "Rental Assistance" (i.e.,
rental subsidy) and the third column lists the total number of USDA units
in all the properties.
TOTAL................. 15,603...........266,228.........441.534
New Items added to Quality Mall's Funding News
Research in Disabilities Education -
http://www.qualitymall.org/funding/fundingdetail.asp?postingid=445
Learning Disabilities Grants Program - http://www.qualitymall.org/funding/fundingdetail.asp?postingid=446
Prudential Foundation Grants Program -
http://www.qualitymall.org/funding/fundingdetail.asp?postingid=447
USTA Grants Program -
http://www.qualitymall.org/funding/fundingdetail.asp?postingid=448
Until Next week
The Arc of the United States,1010 Wayne Avenue, Ste. 650,Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 301-565-3842, Fax: 301-565-3843, Email: mmwdc@info.thearc.org, Web: www.thearc.org
Disclaimer: MMWDC publishes information about issues and events that we believe to be important and likely to be of interest to advocates and others interested in inclusion of persons with disabilities in all parts of society. However, MMWDC and The Arc of the United States and TheArcLink Incorporated do not necessarily endorse all events, sponsoring organizations and reports which appear.