F a m i l y   S u p p o r t   W o r k   G r o u p

Goal Area Responsibility

State Plan Goal II - Family Support: Increase the quality, availability and range of family support services statewide; expand awareness of the need and benefits of these services.

Family Support Work Group's Charge

Responsibilities of the work group include:

A. Monitor implementation of the Family Support Action Plan and the Council's family support demonstration projects; 
B. Provide a statewide forum for family support issues information exchange between state agencies, advocacy groups, and parents; 
C. Explore opportunities to expand awareness of family support services; 
D. Provide ongoing advice to the Council to keep the Governor apprised of family support issues; and  
E. Increase representation of multicultural groups and families with members with various disabilities. Objective is to increase workgroup diversity.

Examples of Work Group Activities

A. Provide oversight and technical expertise to the "Family Choice" projects that, through grant contracts, demonstrate the benefits of family choice and empowerment. 
B. Gather information about various state and local health care proposals. Objective is to assess their impact on families with children with disabilities. Data is intended to help the Council with advocacy positions related to legislation. 
C. Use data from the Developmental Disabilities Institute to support advocating for legislation that includes: families with children who are labeled physically or otherwise health impaired (POHI) or emotionally impaired (EI) in family support subsidy eligibility. 
D. Participate in developing RFPs, based on work group members, expertise, and develop objectives and funding levels for Goal II in DD Council three-year plans.

Membership

The membership includes a variety of members from state agencies, advocacy groups and parent networks.

For more information on the workgroup, go to its web site at www.familysupportworkgroup.org.

T r a n s p o r t a t i o n   W o r k   G r o u p

Goal Area Responsibility

Support and advocate increased availability of comprehensive transportation services that are affordable, accessible and available for people with disabilities.

Transportation Work Group Charge

Establish and staff a Transportation Work Group to develop a transportation action plan that includes information gained from the Council-funded Intercity Transit Study and Getting There projects. The plan will identify barriers and recommend strategies the Council can use in its efforts to improve availability, affordability, and access to transportation for people with disabilities statewide. In Years two and three, begin to implement transportation action plan.

Examples of Activities

The group is comprised of representatives from state and local public transit authorities, disability advocacy organizations, and consumers. The workgroup is meeting from October, 1998 through September, 1999. The workgroup will examine existing barriers to affordable, accessible transportation from the policy and administrative perspectives, funding constraints, and the function of Local Advisory Committees. The group will incorporate findings of the "Getting There" and the "Inter-City Transit Study" projects. An action plan will be developed by the end of year one. Years two and three will focus on implementation of the action plan.

Objectives

1. Identify work group members, representing a cross-section of state and local transit authorities, and disability groups. 
2. Examine findings of the "Getting There" and the "Inter-City Transit Study" projects, and incorporate knowledge gained from those projects into the final action plan. 
3. Examine federal and state policy, and determine the impact on the availability, affordability, and accessibility of transportation for people with disabilities. Determine funding constraints. 
4. Examine the function of Local Advisory Committees (LACs) state-wide and determine which are more successful in addressing the specific transportation needs of their communities. Develop recommendations regarding "model" LACs and how to replicate them. 
5. Develop an action plan by the end of year one to address identified barriers. Years two and three will focus on implementation of the action plan.

Outcomes

1. Establishment of the Transportation Work Group. 
2. Barriers identified. 
3. Action plan developed to address existing barriers. 
4. Action plan implemented (in years 2 and 3).

Membership

DD Council, state and local public transit authorities, and representatives of disability advocacy organizations, and consumers who public transportation.

H e a l t h   I s s u e s   W o r k   G r o u p

Purpose

A. Developing a health issues advocacy agenda, including action strategies, for Council consideration. 
B. Identifying health issue projects, including outcomes, for potential council funding.

Role in Policy Debate

A. How many people are affected? 
B. How much does it all cost? 
C. What are barriers to employment, community living? 
D. Revenue shortfalls. 
E. Early retirement - MIFamily waiver. 
F. Long-term supports. 
G. SSI. 
H. Children's Waiver. 
I. Medicaid buy-in. 
J. Managed care and chronically ill populations. 
K. Dental issues. 
L. Medicaid spend-down. 
M. Education. 
N. Best and harmful practices. 
O. Election and legislative strategies.

A. Maintaining/supporting wellness. B. Integrated health care. C. Eliminating the institutional bias; supporting people to live in the community.

E d u c a t i o n   W o r k   G r o u p

Goal Area Responsibility

Establish an Education Work Group to monitor the Council's projects and emerging changes in public education in Michigan, and to develop an Education Action Plan for future Council action.

Education Work Group's Charge

Monitor the Council's education projects, including, but not limited to the Evaluation of the Michigan Transition Initiative, supporting Local Transition Councils, Going Home and Good Start.

Identify and quantify emerging changes and trends in public education.

Develop a plan to obtain data which will provide:

• a systemic method of obtaining data 
• a means to address political issues 
• a method to develop recommendations on systemic issues 

Develop and recommend an Education Action Plan to the MDDC for adoption and implementation.

Examples of Work Group Activities

Review reports and data from Council projects and examine material from the MSU Council Evaluation project relative to education related issues. This would result in a report on the investments to which the Council has already committed funds.

Develop and recommend an Education Action Plan with data to substantiate recommendations.

Membership

The membership includes members from the following: Michigan DD Council, Michigan Department of Education, advocacy groups, parents and the networks of the mentioned groups.

H o u s i n g   W o r k   G r o u p

Mission

A. Develop position papers and a housing advocacy strategy. 
B. Educate legislators and policymakers regarding housing and support issues for persons with disabilities; and 
C. Explore opportunities to expand support services for persons with disabilities.

Activities