Representative Ted Speliotis receiving award from Mary Margaret Moore.Independent Times
Volume XIV, Issue 1
SUMMER 2 0 0 5
"Our greatest need as human beings is the freedom to pursue our dreams"
From the Executive Director
Mary Margaret Moore
As we prepare for a new state fiscal year, ‘06, which began on July 1, 2005 and will end on June 30, 2006, ILCNSCA joins with the voices of many other individuals and groups facing shrinking state appropriations on top of the shrinking federal appropriations. Despite heroic efforts by our North Shore legislators to increase funding for housing access, the Governor in his final review of the ‘06 budget cut out the funds for Rental Assistance and Homelessness Prevention. This is not helpful to persons with disabilities and poor citizens to live fully and independently in the community. Overall, the Governor made a total of $4.7 Million of cuts to the Legislature’s submitted ‘06 budget in Housing Services, Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program, Chapter 707 Rental Assistance, and Rental Assistance for Families in Transition.
The eleven independent living centers, including ILCNSCA, again received no increased funding in the state budget. This is despite the talk for the past two years by the Administration, the Governor, that Massachusetts is committed to Community First. The Administration has reorganized all of state human services, re-designed its vision for Long Term Supports, received multiple Federally funded system change grants to re-study what we, those who live with disability and social injustice already know: the resources are insufficient; more housing stock that is affordable, available and accessible is needed; additional supports for remaining in one’s home and in the community are needed; access to health care, transportation, assistive technology, one-stop shopping for services and supports, and institutional placement only as a choice when all other in-home and community supports have been made fully available.
ILCNSCA recognizes that the Commonwealth is struggling as is the entire country with the economic constraints since 9/11 and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Yet as Americans committed to freedom, we approach the fifteenth anniversary on July 26, 2005 of the ADA knowing that many citizens on the North Shore and Cape Ann are still waiting for access to needed services and supports to live independently. Please join with ILCNSCA and others to communicate to our Governor and legislators, state and federal, as well as our President, what we need. ILCNSCA will help you write letters, send emails, make phone calls to have your voice heard. Join with us at Dunn State Park to speak up on July 26. Come with us and the other Centers in the Fall to the statehouse. Join other local groups, like Neighbor to Neighbor, to meet with locally with your legislators. Join our Community Access Advocacy Team. Do not be silent. Together our voices are strong and loud. ILCNSCA is working with legislators to have a supplemental budget for ‘06. Come work with us on this effort. Contact Shawn McDuff or myself at ILCNSCA and we will be heard!
ILCNSCA Legislative Breakfast May 13, 2005 Community First: We Want it Now!
Salem Waterfront Hotel and Suites
Over 125 ILCNSCA supporters attended this Annual event. The Legislative Co-hosts were Senator Berry (who unexpectedly had to be absent) and Rep Doug Petersen; Senators Bruce Tarr and Tom McGee filled in for Senator Berry. Representative Mary Grant was delayed due to constituent issues and arrived as speeches had ended. Representatives Brad Hill, Tony Verga, Joyce Spiliotis, Mark Falzone, Stephen Walsh also attended. Assistant Secretary Gerry Morrissey, Office of Disability and Community Services, gave a clear and articulate presentation on the Governor’s position on Community First. Congressman Tierney was in session in Washington and he sent his words of wisdom, read by Mary Margaret Moore, Executive Director of ILCNSCA. US Senators Kennedy and Kerry were unable to attend.
ILCNSCA presented awards to Representative Ted Speliotis, for outstanding legislative advocacy, Dan Muessel, the Bernice Leavitt Award for Lifetime Achievement as an Advocate for persons with disabilities, and Brooksby Village, Employer of the Year Award, for employment of persons with disabilities. Mass. Rehabilitation Commissioner Elmer Bartels, Shawn McDuff, Mary Margaret Moore, and David Leavitt presented the awards.
Representative Ted Speliotis receiving award from Mary Margaret Moore.
Senator Tom Mcgee addressing audience, Senator Tarr onlooking.
Senator Berry donated tickets to the Red Sox which were won by Peg of Salem and the ILCNSCA July Calendar Raffle was sold. Thank you to all who attended.
ILCNSCA JULY 2005 CALENDAR RAFFLE
The ILCNSCA Board of Directors wishes to thank the following businesses for contributing to our July 2005 Calendar Raffle:
Bertucci’s, Paradise Road, Swampscott; Blockbuster Video, Vinnen Square, Swampscott;
Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce; Stop & Shop, Swampscott;
Classic Faces, Peabody; The Color Company, Salem;
Crosby’s Market Place, Salem; Dave Eng’s Flowers, Salem;
Derby Square Bookstore, Salem; Family Fare Restaurant, Peabody;
Hair & Nail Designs, Salem; Hair Idea, Danvers;
Home Depot, Salem; Trader Joe’s, Swampscott;
New England Meat Market, Peabody; Panera Bread, Swampscott;
Nick & Tony’s Restaurant, Danvers; South Peabody Liquors, Peabody;
Sunbeam Cleaners, Danvers; Wardhurst Steakhouse, Peabody;
Walmart, Salem;
Your prize donation made our Calendar Raffle of interest to many supporters of ILCNSCA. Thank you very much! The winners of the Raffle are: Herb of Swampscott; Michael of Salem; Mary of Lynn; Patty of Marblehead; Pat of Gloucester; Katie of Gloucester; Erin of Beverly; Elaine of Nahant; Kathy of Salem; Katie of Marblehead; Steve of Salem; William of Revere; Maryanne of Gloucester; Charlotte of Marblehead; Thomas of Woburn; Marcia of Georgetown; Betty Anne of W. Peabody; Donna of Salem; Shelli of Andover; Chuck of Danvers; Marci of Revere.
ILCNSCA thanks all who have contributed to this fundraiser. We made over $700!
A special thank you to the Board Committee that work very hard on this. Donna, you are a great chair of the Funds Development Committee! Christie, Lori, Denise, Harvey, Pat, Patty, Gregg, John, Janet and Sandra your efforts were super.
GET CREDIT SMART!
Money Management Certification Program, September 29, October 6, 13, 20, & 27
Thursdays, 2:00-4:00 PM, 27 Congress Street Suite 107, Salem, MA
ILCNSCA is the North Shore and Cape Ann service and advocacy agency run by and for persons with disabilities. Living on a fixed income, managing debt, saving for medication co-pays are issues of many who contact us. We are pleased to give you the opportunity to l earn the fundamentals of money, debt, and credit management by hosting the American Consumer Credit Counseling's Money Management Certification Program. This program of five sessions will help you improve your money management skills and increasing your financial awareness. Topics include: budgeting, saving, checking accounts, credit cards, understanding debt, dealing with debt, understanding credit reports, credit scores, and more. Graduates will receive certificate of completion as well as credit bureau reporting cards that add a positive statement to your credit reports .
To register call ILCNSCA at 978-741-0077, voice or 978-745-1735, TTY or 888-751-0077, Toll free or via E-mail to: MMMoore@ilcnsca.org with “Money Management Course” in the subject line. Please plan on attending all five sessions. Communication accommodation requests must be received at least by September 1, 2005. Mark your calendar!
Aging and Disability Resource Collaboration of the North Shore and Cape Ann (ADRC NSCA) : A New National Initiative to Blend and Braid the Aging and Disability Services Networks
ILCNSCA and Greater Lynn Senior Services, North Shore Elder Services and SeniorCare, the three North Shore and Cape Ann Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs), and the North Shore Program for All-Inclusive Care of the Elderly (PACE) have been meeting for the past year. They have begun a process of learning about the different values, services, supports and resources provided by a disability service and advocacy agency and by senior network agencies. They have named themselves the Aging and Disability Resource Collaborative of the North Shore and Cape Ann, ADRC NSCA for short.
In October, 2003 Massachusetts was selected by the federal government as a three year grant recipient to explore how to bring together aging and disability services into a seamless, user friendly, expanded community based network of options for citizens who are seniors and for those of all ages who have disabilities. This grant has been operating in the Northeast part of the Commonwealth with Elder Services of Merrimack Valley and Northeast Independent Living Program designing a ‘no wrong door’ consortium of services model. ILCNSCA has been a member of this grant’s advisory group and has been sharing with the North Shore and Cape Ann group information learned from the Merrimack Valley grant experience.
On June 1 the ADRC of the NS & CA presented their commitment to work together to share information, resources, cross-training of staff, joint planning for better access to community supports by common customers at the Senior Network quarterly meeting at Danvers Senior Center. The 75 attendees, from a wide array of senior services and advocacy groups, were very enthusiastic about this collaboration.
On October 20 at the Cummings Center, Beverly at 3:00 PM there will be a opportunity for persons with disabilities, seniors, disability agencies, and senior services agencies to hear more about and become a part of this locally based initiative. Please hold the date, check out www.ilcnsca.org in August for more information or to be added to the invitation mailing please send your name and address by August 15 via email to : mmmoore@ilcnsca.org with “ADRC NS&CA” in subject line. With seniors comprising the largest growing population group in the country and 19% of our population comprised of persons with disabilities, together the collaborative can have a loud voice in how to improve access to community based services and supports. Hope you will become active in this endeavor.
Persons with Disabilities and Others in Tennessee Confronting Governor’s Health Care Cuts
Tennessee’s publicly funded health coverage system is called TennCare and is their version of MassHealth. The Governor of Tennessee has just implemented dramatic changes to the eligibility and coverage of TennCare. Of particular note is the cutting of in-home support for persons with disabilities who are on vents. In Tennessee only licensed nursing professionals can provide the in-home care for people who use ventilators for breathing. The new rules introduced by Governor Bredesen have cut out this coverage. “So you are saying," asked Randy Alexander of Tennessee ADAPT, "you will institutionalize people because they have a disability?”
“Yes,” replied Bredesen, “I care about them, I’m not cutting their services I’m going to provide their services in a nursing home."
Tennesse does not currently have any nursing homes for folks who are on vents. Tennessee citizens who choose a nursing home to support and serve their needs for vent services must go out of state. With these new rules, the choice for living in the community, in ones own home, if you use a vent is denied to you.
Since June 20 activists have sat in Governor Bredesen’s office. As of Friday, July 15, 2005 the Governor stopped all food and water being allowed to these activists.
ILCNSCA Event Descriptions And Sign Up Information
Please refrain from wearing scents or scented clothing to all ILCNSCA events.
All events held at ILCNSCA’s main office, unless otherwise noted.
ILCNSCA Workshops
Location: ILCNSCA main office on 27 Congress Street, Suite 107, Salem
Telephone numbers: (978) 741-0077 V, (978) 745-1735 TTY, (888) 751-0077 toll free
Thursday, July 21, 2005, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
“How Can I Modify My Home to Make It Accessible?” Learn about Home Modification Options and the Home Modification Loan Program (HMLP) representatives from Community Teamwork Inc. and the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission will share information regarding home modification options. Please R.S.V.P. by July 18, 2005 to Shawn McDuff ext. 14 or Smcduff@ilcnsca.org with HMPL Workshop in the subject line.
Thursday, August 4, 2005, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Assistance with Completion of Universal Housing Application ILCNSCA staff will be available to meet individual with persons with disabilities and provide assistance with completion of Universal Housing application. Please R.S.V.P. to Ian Milgram, ext. 17 or Imilgram@ilcnsca.org with Housing Application Assistance Appointment in the subject line in advance to schedule an appointment.
ILCNSCA Annual Meeting 2005 - Meeting will be held Wednesday, October 19, 2005. Hold the date! You will be receiving more information as the event date nears.
ILCNSCA Board Meetings - Meeting is usually held on the third Wednesday of the month beginning at 6:30 PM. To R.S.V.P. contact Mary Margaret Moore, Executive Director at ext. 10.
ILCNSCA Restaurant Accessibility Survey Project (R.A.S.P.) Meetings
Meetings held 2nd Wednesday of each month.
Volunteer project to promote awareness and improved access to selected North Shore and Cape Ann restaurants. For more information about RASP, contact Stephen Cohodas ext. 21 or Scohodas@ilcnsca.org with RASP in the subject line. Sponsored in part by donation from North Shore Self Help Association
ILCNSCA Community Access Advocacy Team (CAAT)
Meetings held 1st Tuesday of each month.
Volunteer project who's goal is to remove and/or mitigate cultural attitudinal barriers and increase access in the community. For more information about CAAT, contact Stephen Cohodas ext. 21 or Scohodas@ilcnsca.org with CAAT in the subject line.
ILCNSCA Social Events
Tuesday, July 26, 2005 - ADA Anniversary Celebration Dunn Pond State Park in Gardner, MA. There is no cost for this event. ILCNSCA will provide transportation from ILCNSCA to Dunn Pond State Park. Contact Shawn McDuff x14 or Smcduff@ilcnsca.org with ADA Celebration in the subject line if you want to attend.
Friday, July 29, 2005 - Annual Membership BBQ Winter Island Function Hall in Salem. The cost will be $5.00 for a person with a disability and their PCA (if needed). The cost for a person without a disability will be $10.00. Please contact Kathy O’Brien x 11 or Kobrien@ilcnsca.org with BBQ in the subject line if you want to attend.
I REALLY, REALLY LOVE MY CAT
I love my cat to begin with; however, after 12/27/04 I really love my cat. Let me explain.
On Dec. 27, 2004, a pipe froze and broke in my apartment building (at 10:30 PM), which left me, and about 12 others, temporarily displaced. If it weren’t for my cat, I would’ve been up a creek with no paddle. Why, you ask? Let me tell you:
Understand, to have a cat or a dog in my Housing Authority (HA) insisted I take out a homeowner’s insurance policy. When the HA told me I had to take out this insurance, I wasn’t too pleased. Since I could not imagine life with out a pet of some kind, I took out a homeowner’s policy. Thank the Lord above for kitty!!!!!!!!
If I had not adopted a cat, I wouldn’t have had insurance and I’d be living on an army cot with some lawn furniture (I lost about 90% of my furniture from the water damage caused by the broken pipe and about 100 pair of shoes—yes, I’m a shoe-a-holic).
This broken pipe was, in a sense, lucky because I needed new furniture, anyway. There is no way I could have afforded what I got as replacement furniture with out insurance. You know the thing I needed the most, there is no way I could’ve gotten otherwise. It is a 42”, flat screened, LCD television with a CD player, a DVD player and 4-speaker surround sound!
My cat’s name is Cassandra. Cassie deserves a great present for her part in this semi-tragic tale. I’m thinking when this is all over with; she should expect a cat condo with a swimming pool, tennis courts, a maid, a butler, an exercise wheel and a case of Friskee’s Gourmet Grill Cat Food. What d’ya think?
By Donna
INDEPENDENT TIMES VOLUME XIV ISSUE 1, SUMMER 2005
Publisher : Mary Margaret Moore Contributors: Shawn McDuff, Kathy O’Brien, Donna Garber. The INDEPENDENT TIMES is a newsletter of the Independent Living Center of the North Shore and Cape Ann, Inc. (ILCNSCA), main office located at 27 Congress Street, Suite 107, Salem, MA 01970. Telephone: (978) 741-0077 V, (978) 745-1735 TTY, Toll Free Telephone: (888) 751-0077 V, Fax: (978) 741-1133. EMAIL: Information@ilcnsca.org. INDEPENDENT TIMES welcomes the submission of articles, press releases, personal success stories that relate to independent living. Advertisements are also welcome. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit or reject material submitted to accommodate space or other concerns. Unsolicited material not accompanied by a self addressed stamped envelope will not be returned. ILCNSCA’s philosophy is based upon the belief that people with disabilities can lead more independent lives when given the opportunity. We also believe that such an opportunity is a human right. ILCNSCA is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. ILCNSCA serves any person of any age with any type of disability and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origen, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, family status or disability. ILCNSCA receives federal and state funds, private grants, donations, and memberships. ILCNSCA is funded in part by the City of Salem Department of Planning & Community Development, U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development. ILCNSCA has 501 (C) (3) federal and state tax exempt status as a charitable non-profit corporation. ILCNSCA meets the federal standards and assurances of independent living centers. This newsletter is partially funded by a grant from the New England ADA & Accessible IT Technical Assistance Center. This publication is also available at our BOBBY approved web site: www.ilcnsca.org. Por mas informacion calle 978-741-0077.