[tabi] Re: Gov Scott's Transition Team may be thinking about if one agency should serve all disabilities...

  • From: "Daniel Ben Moshe" <danielbenmoshe1@xxxxxxxxx>
  • To: <tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Thu, 9 Dec 2010 12:37:04 -0500

Right on joe, from a fellow concervitive 


I'm glad to be your humble and obedient servant,

Zechen Elder Daniel Ben Moshe,
B'ni Yahshuah Synagogue Of Broward County,
www.theblindcansee.org 
Choose ye this day whom you will serve.  If YHWH be Elohim, then serve him,
with all of your heart.  However, if baal be your god, then serve him.  As
for me, and my house.  We choose to serve YHWH! 
 
The late Bishop Joe O Patterson told a story long ago, when i was a small
child.  about the show down, between Elijah, and the 450 false prophets of
baal. He shared with us how Elijah, stood, and told the false prophets to go
on ahead,and call their god first.   Because they had a much larger program.
He talked about how they had 450 participants to introduce. Elijah was so
sure of YHWH, he with confidence said, that he only had one.  Elijah also
reminded them, that they had to drag their fake god up the mountain side on
an ox cart.  Elijah also announced to the world, that his Elohim would be
there when he arrived.  He said mockingly, you go on ahead.  Heck, I will
even let you have prime time.  I'M going to take a nap, and when you guys
finish your foolishness, wake me up.  Go ahead now, take your best shot. 
Bishop Joe O Patterson 
A blessed memory 
1963-1989   
-----Original Message-----
From: tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
Of Joe Plummer
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 2010 9:11 AM
To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [tabi] Re: Gov Scott's Transition Team may be thinking about if one
agency should serve all disabilities...

Well, I hope you are right. But if you read some of my messages after this
one you will know why I take this view. I don't think mega divisions is the
answer to stream lining government or making it more efficient. We have
already seen this in our schools that mega schools just don't work. There is
a way to stream line government and make it more efficient but creating mega
divisions is not the answer. What you will end up with is say something like
calling customer service for a cell phone provider or customer service for a
credit card or calling Dell customer service. You know what you run into
there and with their sites. This is just not good. This is in my opinion is
what happens when your government gets out of balance. When you have it all
one sided. It don't matter which side is one sided. You are out of balance
and have no check or balance. When this happens the little man, the
helpless, the disable, the handicap and the needed is left out in the cold.
Take this from someone that has been around and in politics most all his
life. I have worked and still working for the Florida legislature so far. I
have worked here in the legislature for over 30 years. I know what I am
talking about. Just some thoughts from a seasonal veteran.


Sign,
JP ( Joe Plummer)
joeplummer@xxxxxxx

-----Original Message-----
From: tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
Of Charles Atkins
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 2010 3:14 AM
To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [tabi] Re: Gov Scott's Transition Team may be thinking about if one
agency should serve all disabilities...

I feel the need for somebody to say something here and on one hand, Joe, you

have.  Though, my viewpoint is of a different point of expectation.  I feel
what you say is your sincerest effort to start to fix something you think is

about to be broken in our state and is not mint to excite bad  or contempt
for the governor's, equally, sincere effort to repair what he feel needs it
in Florida or the entire country for that matter.

I feel though, that for, all,  well intents and purposes, before we take
off, fueled by speculation, agencies, already serving the blind, and other
disabled populations, should invite the Governor as well as, encourage other

state officials in dialogue aimed at ensuring we don't take a turn for the
worse and head back in to that pit you fear may be opening to consume us in
eternal worthlessness!

A lot has been done, but, we still have more to do!

Keep the faith people!

We're not going backward!  I think the Governor and everyone else knows,
that's not the answer!

Honest!


Charles Atkins




----- Original Message -----
From: "Joe Plummer" <joeplummer@xxxxxxx>
To: <tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2010 6:19 PM
Subject: [tabi] Re: Gov Scott's Transition Team may be thinking about if one

agency should serve all disabilities...


> This is the worst idea I heard of yet. This is aim at one thing and 
> one thing only that is cutting jobs out. This is also going to make 
> waiting lines extremely long and lots of red tape. It will have people 
> that is in a job that have no idea what we need and are going thru. I 
> have try to tell you all that there Is terrible times coming to 
> Florida and especially the old, helpless the very young and the 
> disable and the handicap. We are now going to be treated like a 
> charity case like someone standing in line for a bowl of soup. We the 
> blind community is going to need medical care say for our eyes and if 
> you are depending on the blind services to do it you are going to have 
> to wait fro ever to get the help. If you need a screen reader to keep 
> your job you will lose the job before you get the screen reader 
> approved. You just wait and see we are going to go backwards 100 years 
> before it is over. In my opinion this is the worst thing that could 
> happen to us just about.
>
>
>
> sign,
> Joe Plummer (JP)
> joeplummer@xxxxxxx
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On 
> Behalf Of Lighthouse of the Big Bend
> Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2010 3:56 PM
> To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [tabi] Gov Scott's Transition Team may be thinking about if 
> one agency should serve all disabilities...
>
> Consumer groups of the Blind/VI may want to get involved, as it looks 
> like Gov Scott's Transition Team may be thinking about whether one 
> agency should serve everyone with disabilities...
>
> 12-8-10
> Single Department Concept
> A New Service Delivery System for the 21St Century
>
> The purpose of this proposal is to illustrate a method by which 
> Florida can create a single, efficient, consumer driven and community
> -- based service delivery system to provide services to the over 6 
> million persons with disabilities in Florida. The ultimate goal is to 
> reduce administrative costs and increase access to services and 
> service dollars; create a more efficient, fraud resistant billing 
> system and create an economic stimulus creating new private sector jobs.
> . Combining all of the programs and services for persons With 
> disabilities, including the Florida Medicaid Waiver programs, under 
> one department`-. will enable the State to move precious resources to 
> actual service delivery for persons with:.disabilities and seniors 
> across the disability spectrum and Recycle.
> . This department can have one point of entry with a standardized 
> application, eligibility criteria, provider qualifications, and 
> provider rates for all services and programs.
> . Creation of new jobs in the areas of core munity - based service 
> delivery and fraud prevention methods. This would mean the recruitment 
> of new entrepreneurial minded providers into the system statewide.
> To accomplish this goal, certain units can be removed from current 
> departments and placed in the new departmental structure. Personnel 
> requirements will then be determined, based on the overall organization.
> Departments effected:
> . Agency for Healthcare Administration (AHCA), the . Department of 
> Health (DOH), the . Department of Children and Families (DCF), the . 
> Department of Eider Affairs(CARES), the . Department of Education 
> (Vocational Rehabilitation and Division of Blind Services), and . The 
> Agency for"Persons with Disabilities As this new department is being 
> physically formed, a new philosophy will also be nurtured. A 
> philosophy of ingenuity, creativity, and an entrepreneurial spirit, 
> where employees are encouraged to think "outside of the box" to solve 
> the problems we will face in the coming years. We must encourage 
> unique, public - private partnerships at every level, in order to 
> maximize our precious resources. This includes private entity 
> investment into not only service provision but employment 
> opportunities for persons with disabilities. It is only through this 
> "rebirth" of the physical and philosophical can we have a department 
> that is truly responsive to our citizens.
>
> In Florida, every day over 6 million persons, with identified or 
> self-reported disabilities study, live, play, and work. The vast 
> majority of persons with disabilities can secure and maintain full or 
> part -- time competitive employment. They exhibit more courage and 
> fortitude daily than some people do in a lifetime. These Floridians do 
> not want a hand out but a hand up, a chance to maximize their 
> individual independence and to be as included in their community as 
> they wish, This untapped resource of ready and willing potential 
> employees should not be ignored.
>
> Having all disability programs and services, including Medicaid 
> Waivers located within one department, will:
>
> Streamline the application, eligibility, and acceptance process for 
> consumers and providers.
>
> Eliminate the "silo" effect, bringing all state organizations working 
> with persons with disabilities under one organizational plan and chain 
> of command.
>
> Reduce redundant administrative costs to include office space and 
> other such equipment.
>
> Create new private sector opportunities for persons who become 
> disabled as adults. Require anyone wishing to file for federal 
> disability programs to register with Vocational Rehabilitation. Begin 
> early working with the person focusing on ways to maximize his/her 
> abilities. in many cases, it may be possible for the person with the 
> disability to emerge with a better, more lucrative career.
>
> The department will maximize existing resources, such as using the 
> Clearinghouse on Disability Information to:
> Maintain one website for all information on disabilities.
> Operate a single toll-free phone number with accessibility built into 
> the system. Have a dedicated information referral system that not only 
> serves consumers, but providers and other state agencies.
>
> ? Allow the department to standardize the processes to determine 
> eligibility (one assessment instrument), provider qualifications and 
> enrollment, service limitations, rates of pay, nursing home transition 
> initiatives, etc.
>
> ? Reduce or maintain turnaround time in billing to enable providers to 
> receive pay for services in a timely fashion, while cutting down on 
> potential fraud.
>
> Through a coordinated, functional needs based system, all individuals 
> with disabilities will have their needs assessed and identified by a 
> Global Assessment with a single Case Plan.
>
> Bryan F. Vaughan, MS Executive Director Commission on Disabilities
>
> 1217/2010 Page 2 of 4
>
> .:. Adapt the existing iBudget algorithm across the disabilities 
> spectrum to ensure a consistent and efficient distribution of scarce 
> resources.
>
> :. Serve consumers and providers will be served in a timelier and more 
> consistent manner statewide.
> One standardized assessment instrument to determine risk of 
> institutionalization and eligibility for waiver services would ensure 
> services are provided to those most in need and would reduce the 
> number of individuals currently on wait lists for the various waivers.
> Provider qualifications and rate of pay will be consistent and allow 
> them to serve all populations without having to apply to work with 
> multiple waivers and organizations. The Legislature will only need to 
> deal with one budget to fund all the waivers. The processes for being 
> placed on a wait list will be standardized throughout all the 
> individual waivers.
> Funding for community-based, long-term care services would be more 
> equitable for each of the disability groups competing for limited 
> resources.
>
>
> Note: Some agencies may be reluctant' to relinquish administration of 
> their waiver programs. Consumers and providers currently being served 
> by the various waivers may be impacted if service limitations and 
> rates of pay are standardized. Use of the iBudget algorithm will 
> ensure a person's needs are met in an effective manner. Some 
> individual disability groups may be concerned about any change in the 
> current structure which can be mitigated through an appropriate public 
> information program.
> Evidence to Support Single Department
>
> The states of Illinois and Vermont have already gone to the single 
>entity system with good results. Real Choice Systems Change Grant 
>Program, Third  Year Report: Progress and Challenges of the FY 2002 and FY
2003 Grantees:
> (October 1, 2003 -- September 30, 2004) Final Report.
> Consolidation
>
> The Governor's Commission on Disabilities, along with personnel from 
> the effected departments, advocates, and providers could work towards 
> the planning, development, and implementation of this single department.
>
> Planning & Timeline
> Planning could begin to consolidate all programs and services, 
> including waivers under one department in the 2010 - 2011 fiscal year, 
> with implementation occurring in an on-going basis. Full consolidation 
> could take until the 2011 -- 2012 fiscal year.
> Estimated Potential Savings
> ? A coordinated waiver program would require fewer administrative 
> staff, intake and referral staff, provider enrollment staff and fiscal 
> staff to moriitorexpenditures.
> ? There would be a reduction in allocated office space, expenses;, and 
> equipment allocations for personnel due to consolidation into one agency.
> Multiple websites dedicated to the various waivers would be 
> reduced.to>one.
> This would also create a more user friendly, accessible system of 
> delivering information. **g Consolidating multiple call-centers for 
> consumers and providers would still allow calls to be channeled from 
> one line directly to the appropriate waiver specialist.
>
>
> Florida currently has a great need for more community - based service 
> providers. Partnerships with Colleges of Business at our State 
> Universities, as well as the Chamber of Commerce for Persons with 
> Disabilities, can promote an entrepreneurial effort to create these 
> small provider businesses.
>
> To reduce fraud, a "call and verify" system can be included as part of 
> the billing cycle. When a provider bills the department, a random 
> verification system will identify a consumer to be called and asked if 
> helshe has received the items or services as billed. This process will 
> help prevent discrepancies and false claims as are potential risks 
> under the current system. The department can either decide to use one 
> or multiple verifying agencies. This can be performed by workers from 
> home (enabling persons with disabilities, seniors, or others who are 
> transportation
> disadvantaged) or a central location.
>
>
> --
> Lighthouse of the Big Bend
> Guiding People Through Vision Loss
> 3071 Highland Oaks Terrace
> Tallahassee, FL 32301
> (850) 942-3658
> www.lighthousebigbend.org
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>
>
>
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> and please make suggestions for new material.
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and please make suggestions for new material.



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interface, or by sending an email to the address tabi-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
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and please make suggestions for new material.



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