Restyle Runway 2010!

These photos were taken at last year's Restyle Runway show!

Mark your calendars and spring ahead to the most eco-friendly, fashionable fundraiser in town! On May 7, Friends of JCDS will unveil the second annual “Restyle Runway” event, featuring a unique fashion show and competition.
The show’s theme will demonstrate how re-used and restyled clothing can be new, hip, and fun again-- as well as economical!
Restyle Runway will encourage up-and-coming Midwest design students and aspiring designers to think creatively about fashion despite limited resources.
They have been invited to join this juried design competition, and challenged to create collections of 3-6 complete ensembles using clothing from area Goodwill Industry stores. Collections will selected for the fashion show after being judged by local fashion gurus..
So far, 22 students from Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska have eagerly accepted the challenge! Scholarships will be awarded to the following winners: First Place $1,000, Second Place $750 and Third Place $500. Judging will be based on competition guidelines that require each collection to include outfits that consist of
- Clothing embellished with buttons, trims, or fabric supplied by the designer, and
- Outfits that have been reworked, resewn, and/or combined with other garments (all from Goodwill).
Each student will be assigned his/her own team of models, with most teams including a model with developmental disabilities served by JCDS. In addition, local celebrities including Fox 4 news anchor John Holt, Mix 93.3 on-air personality Jenny Matthews and 38 The Spot’s Holly Starr will lend their talents to this year’s show. So far, there are also 15 professional models who will grace the runway.
We hope to see you at this fashion-forward, one-of-a-kind event!

Show Details:
When: Friday, May 7, 2010 at 6:00 pm.
Where: Sheraton Overland Park Hotel
6100 College Blvd.
Overland Park, KS 66211
Cost: $75 per person
Info and tickets: (913) 826-2670 or visit our website at http://www.friendsofjcds.com/
Bonus: Celebrity judges and models, plus appetizers and drink ticket

Monday Morning Update

Good morning!

Significant Events of the last week:

1- On Tuesday at 9:00 the House Taxation Committee discussed HB 2593, the bill which would have doubled the alcohol (gallonage) tax. Revenues received were earmarked for DD and Mental Health.

2- Committee member discussion points:
· "It’s a ‘feel good’ vote but not sure whether the Appropriations Committee would keep the revenue allocated to DD and Mental Health. They could do anything with the money.”
· "Kansas restaurants would lose business to Missouri restaurants.”
· "It’s a worthy cause, but I have my pet projects that needs money too, what about them?”

3- On Tuesday at 9:08 the House Taxation Committee ‘tabled’ HB 2593. ‘Table’ means they put it in their right bottom drawer to gather dust. The ‘alcohol-tax’ bottle was thrown against the fireplace, which broke into a thousand pieces.

4- If you wonder why it was dismissed—it’s still too early in the session for most Legislators to demonstrate that they are willing to raise taxes. There is potential that it may be back, but don’t hold your breath. Being the optimist that I am, I did buy some Superglue just in case!

5- Most Legislators agree that there will be some sort of tax increase, but claim that it will be done in the last days of the session.

6- Kate’s Law (SB 12) had hearings in the Senate Financial Institutions & Insurance Committee. This bill would mandate health coverage for Autism Spectrum Disorder. The Committee worked the bill on Thursday but did not vote on it. That vote will come at a later date.

7- The Kansas Autism Coalition has been working tirelessly on this bill. Information can be found at: http://web.mac.com/wasmer_ms/KCAL/Kates_Law.html

8- The House Commerce and Labor Committee had hearings on HB 2669 a.k.a. the “Employment First” Bill. This bill would establish integrated, competitive employment as a first priority for Kansans with disabilities. The Committee will be working the bill towards the end of the month. I spoke to several Johnson County Legislators on the Committee, and all had encouraging comments. One positive thing for Legislators, is that the bill has no real cost attached to it, so they could pass a bill to help folks with disabilities, yet it wouldn’t cost the State any money. If this bill passes, be looking for that on their campaign posters.

9- A wonderful website created to help promote the concept of community employment can be found at: http://www.kansasemployability.com

I wanted to share an excerpt from Representative Mike Slattery’s latest newsletter. Representative Slattery understands the disastrous effects of putting Social Service funding on the chopping block. He writes:

“It is important to understand that these (Social Service) agency budgets don't grow due to wasteful spending. They grow because the services they are responsible for providing are received by persons who are entitled to funding by the federal government. As our economy lags, many Kansans turn to the government for help. This places additional pressure on our social services agencies, which then experience highly increased demands for assistance.
These cuts will make it even harder for hurting Kansans to address immediate needs in their lives. The primary function of state government is to address the needs of its citizens, especially the most vulnerable citizens among us. Vulnerable citizens will require our help eventually. If we fail to provide it now, we will pay for it later after conditions get even worse and the needs of citizens grow more serious due to delayed assistance.”

And with that, your TO DO list only has one task this week:
· Have a conversation with your Legislators to make sure they understand that the needs of citizens grow more serious due to delayed assistance. Spent a little money now, to save a little money in the future. Representative Slattery understands it, but it’s your responsibility to make sure that your Legislators understand it.

Warm Regards,
Lurena Mead

Monday Morning Update

Monday Morning Greetings!

Welcome to the “Dance of Government” with one step forward and two steps back!

Forward
1- Last Friday Governor Parkinson signed into law Senate Substitute for House Bill 2222 – also known as the FY 2010 ‘Rescission Bill’. The bill included the amendment which shifted DD state funds to cover the 10% cut in the HCBS DD Waiver.

Back
1- Just when we thought that FY ’10 was taken care of, monthly revenue for February was released. It was less than expected causing the State to be $105 million in the red.
2- The Governor held a press conference last Friday and announced additional cuts, shuffles and savings worth $85 million.

Forward
1- The Governor did as he promised earlier, and did not touch Social Services or Education in his cuts.

Back
1- The biggest chunk of dollars came from the State Highway Fund set aside for highway maintenance. Don’t bother getting your tires balanced.
2- Two of the Governor’s suggestions can be done without Legislative approval and the other four recommendations require action from the Legislature. We have all witnessed how well this Legislature works together…

Forward
1- A sub-committee of the Senate Ways and Means Committee held hearings last week on the effects of cuts to the DD and MH (mental health) system.

Back
1- One of the conferees was a parent from the Wichita area. In my opinion, her testimony was caustic, accusatory and disrespectful of the Senators on the Committee. Providing a truthful testimony and an insolent testimony are two different things. Something for us to remember if we are ever asked to provide testimony.
2- Questions were asked how not-for-profit organizations would fare if their tax exemptions were taken away. Agencies were put on the spot. Do they risk agreeing to an elimination of their tax exemption for a potential chance that the State would put more dollars into the DD or MH system? Hard question to answer when businesses are struggling so.

Forward
1- The last question asked by the Chair of this subcommittee was “Have you talked to your business leaders and Legislators about raising taxes?” Most individuals providing testimony reported to have planted the seed.

Enough of that, I’m getting dizzy! No more steps “back” for this one!


Your TO DO list this week:

1- Give yourself a pat on the back. MANY of you wrote Representatives Yoder and Merrick last week as a result of Wednesday’s ‘call to action’. I know they heard your message but hope they share your message with the Appropriations Committee.

2- During Governor Parkinson’s latest round of cuts he said “We cannot balance the next budget or protect our schools, public safety and safety net services without new revenue. I look forward to the Legislature to coming to the table, putting politics aside, and raising the revenue we need to get Kansas back on track.”

Talk to your family, friends, neighbors, business partners and Legislators about the importance of increasing taxes. I know It’s not ideal, but neither is remaining on a waiting list of 4300 individuals, provider pay equal to that of a fast food worker or cuts so deep that companies/individuals can’t remain in business.

Let’s go to the dance, but let’s take the lead!


Warm Regards,
Lurena Mead

“You just need to be a flea against injustice. Enough committed fleas biting strategically can make ever the biggest dog uncomfortable and transform even the biggest nation.” --- Marian Wright Edelman

Johnson County Sun opinion column

Click on the link to read the Johnson County opinion column on Kansas' budget crisis.
http://sunpublications.com/201003033843/opinion/kansans-caught-in-budget-squeeze.html

Kansas City Star opinion column

Click on the link to read the latest KC Star opinion column on Kansas and Missouri state budgets.
http://www.kansascity.com/2010/03/03/1787321/giveways-are-too-costly-states.html

You know, some things can really make your day. A parent sent this link to me, and I must confess...it made my day! Hope you enjoy it too!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngzyhnkT_jY

Monday Morning Update

Good Monday Morning to you!
Significant events from last week:

1- HB 2593 (the act to amend the alcohol tax by increasing taxes on alcohol and directing the revenue to a newly created Developmental Disability supplemental programs fee fund and Community Mental Health fund) had a hearing in the Tax Committee.

· This bill basically doubles the taxes on liquor. This tax hasn’t been increased since 1977.

· Proponents of the bill did a good job addressing how cuts during the past few years have been devastating to their agencies and how revenue collected as a result of this bill would be used.

· JCDS Executive Director, Maury Thompson testified on behalf of Developmental Disability agencies.

· The bill would be earmarked for Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health and estimated to bring in an additional $22 million. The revenue would be split between the two newly created fee funds.

· Liquor and Restaurant lobbyists spoke about the ill effects this tax would have on their industries.

· Fear that residents of Kansas would go to neighboring states to purchase alcohol was a major focus of the opposition’s testimony.

· This morning as I was watching Channel 9 News, information about this bill scrolled along the bottom of the screen. No mention of how the revenue would benefit DD or MH, so my guess is that the Lobbyists are working really hard to get the community riled up!

· The next step is just a “wait and see” as to what the Committee will choose to do with this bill. They can sit on it or decide to send it on to the House for a vote. Since it is a tax increase, I wouldn’t look for it to move anywhere for the next couple of months. The Legislature isn’t really addressing tax increases---yet!

· Click HERE to read the Kansas City Star article from Saturday’s paper discussing this tax bill.

2- The 2010 Rescission bill is in the final stages of making sure all the I’s are dotted and the T’s are crossed. News is that the bill will be going to the Governor for his signature soon. The Governor is not expected to sit on it. Time to get busy on the 2011 budget.

3- I want to clarify that the 10% SGF/Medicaid swap from the Rescission bill only affects the HCBS MR/DD Waiver. Targeted Case Management is not part of this waiver.

4- Several Case Managers have sent news that many durable medical equipment providers (think wheelchairs and similar types of equipment) have decided to longer take Medicaid. With their 10% pay reduction, they are losing money and have decided to get out of the Medicaid business. This will be perilous for individuals needing updated or new equipment.

5- My highlight of the week was when I was forwarded a letter from a father to the Governor. This father has a son with significant disabilities. The son is fortunate to have Day Services but the father wrote on behalf of those that don’t. I’d like to share part of the letter:

“Extremely disconcerting to me is the fact that thousands of individuals are on waiting lists for similar opportunities, because the state of Kansas cannot find ways for adequate funding to these services. It seems to me that the leadership of our state should be trying to find ways to adequately fund these programs instead of applying its leadership in trying to do away with them. There are thousands of Kansas citizens with handicaps severe enough that their families and the individuals themselves need these services. Is there any chance that you or any one of our elected officials can step up and advocate strongly for them?”


Your TO DO list for the week:

1-Sit down, put your feet up and get a cup of hot coffee or ice cold beverage. Now that you’re comfortable, how would you respond if your legislator asked you this question?

“Would you be willing to pay more taxes, if those taxes would be used to fund DD services?”

· With the financial woes of the State, revenue enhancements (taxes) are about our only option.

· Legislators are under the belief that no one wants to pay more taxes. What is your opinion?

2-Send off your www.invisiblekansans.org letter! Keep those emails going!

Until next week!

Warm Regards,
Lurena Mead

Why Autism in a gift

CNN interviewed Temple Grandin, a professor at Colorado State University who sees her autism as a gift, not a disability. Her life is the subject of a new HBO film starring Claire Danes. Check out the video!
http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/03/01/temple.grandin.ted/index.html?hpt=C2

Kansas City Star article

Click HERE to read the Kansas City Star article on increasing the tax on liquor to fund disability programs.