Is there anyone out there who sees the Democratic phrase of "give it time" regarding all the Clinton appointees to the Obama team as being bullshit? What ever happened to the CHANGE Obama was supposed to bring to America?? I am totally disgusted with who he has chosen to lead his "change".
He has appointed the same old same old to their same old offices. What the hell does he OWE Bill and Hillary? I have to wonder what he's thinking in giving these people back their old jobs. I don't think it has anything to do with change. I think it mainly has to do with his desire to PLEASE the Clintons, and this idea sucks.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
I may finally be on to something that explains me. I ran into a woman this morning who has custody of her 14 year old grandson. She was telling me about his various diagnoses, which are plentiful. He has Bipolar Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Attention Deficit-Hyper Disorder, and Oppositional Defiant Disorder.
I was curious to know first about the PTSD, which she told me came from losing the 3 most important males in his life over a 6 month period. Next I asked about the ODD, to which she reponded that he has a strong belief about what is "fair", and gets extremely upset when things are "unfair".
Hmmm... me too! When Tracy was denied treatment by her support team, I became furious with them. How dare they make decisions about refusing treatment without even seeing her medical record! Without getting a 2nd opinion! She WAS only 44 years old at the time of her diagnosis! But you know what? I'm really not alone in my feelings. The Oregon Administrative Rules regarding abuse states very clearly what is and is not to be done in caring for people with developmental disabilities.
"Failure to act/neglect that leads to or is in imminent danger of causing physical injury, through negligent omission, treatment, or maltreatment of an adult, including but not limited to failure by a provider or staff to provide an adult with adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical care, supervision, or through condoning or permitting abuse of an adult by any other person. However, no person shall be deemed neglected or abused for the sole reason that he or she voluntarily relies on treatment through prayer alone in lieu of medical treatment."
It seems as though the OARs must have been written by someone with oppositional defiant disorder. Go figure...
I was curious to know first about the PTSD, which she told me came from losing the 3 most important males in his life over a 6 month period. Next I asked about the ODD, to which she reponded that he has a strong belief about what is "fair", and gets extremely upset when things are "unfair".
Hmmm... me too! When Tracy was denied treatment by her support team, I became furious with them. How dare they make decisions about refusing treatment without even seeing her medical record! Without getting a 2nd opinion! She WAS only 44 years old at the time of her diagnosis! But you know what? I'm really not alone in my feelings. The Oregon Administrative Rules regarding abuse states very clearly what is and is not to be done in caring for people with developmental disabilities.
"Failure to act/neglect that leads to or is in imminent danger of causing physical injury, through negligent omission, treatment, or maltreatment of an adult, including but not limited to failure by a provider or staff to provide an adult with adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical care, supervision, or through condoning or permitting abuse of an adult by any other person. However, no person shall be deemed neglected or abused for the sole reason that he or she voluntarily relies on treatment through prayer alone in lieu of medical treatment."
It seems as though the OARs must have been written by someone with oppositional defiant disorder. Go figure...
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Kotek and Gelser Selling Out
In some circles Tina Kotek and Sara Gelser are looked upon as up and coming stars of the Oregon Legislature. They’ve championed Carly’s law to protect children and they’ve put together a bill to create a registry of bad caregivers who won’t be able to work with vulnerable people in Oregon. They have a real penchant for wanting to protect some people. However; others they’re not quite as concerned about.
On 10/22/08 I sent the following email to Tina (my North Portland Representative) and cc’d Sara...
Dear Tina,
I was watching your hearing this morning when I noticed that you mentioned to one of the women testifying that one of your constituents had some concerns around what's happening with Carlee's (sp?) Law. I have a similar concern around the death of a 45 year old woman here in Portland. She definatly fell through the cracks of justice and ethics. I'm posting her story here, and would like to see your and Sara's comments about what happened to her. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
David
Euthanasia in Portland
I first began circulating this true story on the internet on 3/14/07. Because this is all true, no one that I have named here has challenged my assertions. I believe that is because if this ever made it into court the responsible parties would be unable to spin their way(s) out of big trouble. They hope I’ll go away. I won’t.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
My name is David McDonald and I live in North Portland, Oregon What I’ve written here is a true story that must be told. There are people who have gone to great lengths to suppress the information herein. What I hope to do is compel those reading it to join with me in demanding accountability from the responsible parties. An investigation independent of Oregon’s Protection and Advocacy agency is needed to decide exactly who the responsible parties are.
In early April 2006 I found out that a close friend of mine had stage 3 colon cancer. She had a profound developmental disability and was non-verbal. In order for critical health care decisions to be made on her behalf, she needed representatives who knew and cared about her to gather and interpret medical information and weigh all her options. An Advocacy Team was assembled including myself, two other staff members from her day program (who knew her well), and her Individual Service Plan (ISP) team. This consisted of a management staff representative of the day program provider (who saw her a few times a year), the owner of her foster home (who supervised her direct caregiver and ran other homes) and a county case manager (who was assigned my friend a few months earlier, and didn’t know her). A close friend of the day program representative was brought on board to act as health care representative (who didn’t know my friend prior to her diagnosis). We all met and decided that the case manager would look into what was covered under her health plan, the health care representative would get the medical record and a 2nd opinion. She committed to providing these documents to the team as soon as she got them. I said that I would look into treatment options. Without any of this being accomplished, other than the information I shared about diet and exercise being critical, she was placed in hospice about two weeks later.
Following that initial meeting where I and another Advocacy Team member voiced our opinion that treatment should likely occur, our participation in decision making was apparently no longer desired. Decisions were made without our input and we felt we were being regarded as tokens. He quit that “team. Instead, I joined her ISP team as her friend and advocate with no objection from any other ISP team member, and acknowledgement that it was appropriate for me to fill this role. From the beginning I insisted that in order to responsibly represent my friend in making decisions about her health care, we needed to see the medical record, get a 2nd opinion, and make sure we all knew what her options were. The rest of the ISP team was more interested in allowing her to die without any medical “interference.” In fact, in early June, without access to any medical record, I was asked by the day program representative to sign a form that would indicate that I agreed to refusing treatment – I declined.
I complained of medical neglect for months while my friend received no treatment. While I was researching diet and exercise, part of the team enrolled her in hospice and cancelled her home health aide; the case manager claimed she had no idea how that happened. While I was complaining of a service plan that didn’t address supports for her condition, the case manager scheduled a meeting to discuss a burial plan. While I complained of a team making decisions without having the medical record to look at, the Health Care Representative took a 10 day vacation to Greece, and the case manager took no action to get the medical record while she was gone. I had already contacted the Protection and Advocacy agency, but received no assistance from them in getting the medical record, even though I had alleged medical neglect. They could and should have gotten the medical record themselves by that time.
A consultation meeting with hospice that involved the entire ISP team only occurred after she had been enrolled in hospice for 2 weeks. This is supposed to happen before making the decision to elect hospice care. This “consultation” consisted of meeting with a hospice social worker and nurse who used what seemed to me like fear tactics to sell their services, including talking about going to a hospital as the indignity of being “loaded” and “hauled off” to an unfeeling and strange place that makes you “wait for hours” for care.
It was obvious that the ISP team would do anything to get me out of the picture and have my friend quietly fade away. My advocacy was characterized by the case manager’s supervisor as “disruptive” and “ancillary” to what the ISP team was doing (damn right), and he began trying to have me removed from my friend’s team. This is in violation of the Oregon Administrative Rule that says that the team can’t be changed when critical health care decisions are being made. He even went to the extent of trying to deceive the Protection and Advocacy agency and keep them out of the loop by changing their email address so they wouldn’t get the cc of his letter calling to remove me. Either that or they were directed by the P&A to do so. I filed a grievance with the county developmental disabilities program manager. She declined to communicate with me except through the county’s lawyer. I began to receive letters on official county lawyer letterhead. I asked for my friend’s grievance to be heard by a grievance committee, which is provided for in the state’s administrative rules. I was told that only the program manager and her lawyer would talk to me and the meeting would take place in the county lawyer’s office.
At the end of July my friend was taken off hospice but still received no treatment. The reason given for this move was that she wasn’t eligible for hospice because she wasn’t homebound. The fact is, she had been attending her day program 5 days a week and taking the public lift to get there since a week after hospice had begun.
Finally, in early August, the medical record was made available by the Healthcare Rep. This was 4 full months after her diagnosis and refusal of treatment by the other ISP team members. No 2nd opinion was included. What the Health Care Representative had been calling a 2nd opinion was an oncology consultation from a second doctor during the same hospital visit. I believe that no 2nd opinion was ever done. The doctor said that chemotherapy is the usual course of treatment and there were concerns about her communication and side effects. I discovered that the case manager and the day program representative had a meeting at the hospital with a social worker and decided then that she was incapable of chemotherapy. At the initial meeting back in early April, this was presented as a fact given to them by the doctors. I found that a hospice consultation was given, along with an in inaccurate reference to her being bed-bound and an opinion about her quality of life and disposition. There was no prognosis of 6 months as they had claimed. I also discovered that she had symptoms involving her intake and weight loss fifteen months earlier. In March an endoscopy had been recommended but wasn’t done.
A nurse from the Department of Human Services was assigned to the case and conversations about guardianship started. I complained to the Protection and Advocacy agency that the team was pursuing an inappropriate guardianship (I feared this was in order to put a “do not resuscitate” order in place). I never heard from the Protection and Advocacy agency what happened around the guardianship. I do know that when my wife went to the Association for Retarded Citizens to get information about pursuing guardianship ourselves, the ARC called the county developmental disabilities office and told them she had been there.
I had also called Protective Services to report possible medical neglect, but was told they wouldn’t investigate as long as the Protection and Advocacy agency was already involved. I now feel that the one regrettable mistake I made through this whole thing was in contacting the Protection and Advocacy agency, believing that she needed a lawyer. They never gave a clear answer as to whether or not they would even represent her. In the face of reams of evidence forwarded their way, the P&A did nothing that I am aware of. A well-documented trail of deceit, betrayal, delay and cover up of information continued until I finally left the ISP team, disgusted, in September.
She continued in her day program until late November, when it was announced that the cancer had spread and she was back in hospice. At 10:00 A.M. PST on December 14, 2006 my friend gave in to “pain killers” prescribed while she was on hospice care. I believe my friend was euthanized. I believe this was because she was unable to say “yes” or “no”. She was someone with a huge spirit and a small body. She was someone with a quiet demeanor and a profound developmental disability. In life she was easy to overlook, but the way she died will not be.
On January 10, I submitted a grievance with the P&A regarding their handling of my friend’s case. After not hearing from the executive director in 15 working days, I sent the grievance on to the board’s grievance committee. After not hearing from them after 30 days, I can only assume that my friend’s death and her life don’t merit their attention.
If you are wondering whether I can back up my claims here, the answer is YES. I have documentation that supports this true story and will share it selectively. What I am looking for in sending this out is feedback, advice, and legal assistance to ensure my friend’s death was not in vain. I also need help in getting as much exposure to this story as possible.
------------------------------------------------
After hearing nothing from either of them, I emailed them again on 11/12/08...
Dear Tina and Sara,
This email is kind of difficult for me to write. But I believe that sometimes the hardest thing to do is not the most comfortable thing to do, so I'll take my chances trusting in your desires to see justice served.
I am aware that responding to a story like this one involves a level of courage most people don't have, because it involves truly looking into the facts of what happened. And looking into those facts involves questioning the decisions and motives of people you might not want to question. So we're either going to have "selective" investigations of abuse and neglect in Oregon, or we're going to investigate ANYONE who has medically neglected a person with a developmental disability.
I'm requesting that a real investigation into what happened to my friend be done. This means looking at Disability Rights of Oregon and Multnomah County Developmental Disabilities. I have the details of the slipperiness right here in my computer. I just need someone who cares to allow me to show them what happened. If this can happen to Tracey without any accountability, it can happen to countless others in our state. Please do the right thing.
Sincerely,
David
-------------------------------------------
I’m sure that they have no intention in getting back to me at this point. I also believe the community needs to know how cowardly these women really are.
On 10/22/08 I sent the following email to Tina (my North Portland Representative) and cc’d Sara...
Dear Tina,
I was watching your hearing this morning when I noticed that you mentioned to one of the women testifying that one of your constituents had some concerns around what's happening with Carlee's (sp?) Law. I have a similar concern around the death of a 45 year old woman here in Portland. She definatly fell through the cracks of justice and ethics. I'm posting her story here, and would like to see your and Sara's comments about what happened to her. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
David
Euthanasia in Portland
I first began circulating this true story on the internet on 3/14/07. Because this is all true, no one that I have named here has challenged my assertions. I believe that is because if this ever made it into court the responsible parties would be unable to spin their way(s) out of big trouble. They hope I’ll go away. I won’t.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
My name is David McDonald and I live in North Portland, Oregon What I’ve written here is a true story that must be told. There are people who have gone to great lengths to suppress the information herein. What I hope to do is compel those reading it to join with me in demanding accountability from the responsible parties. An investigation independent of Oregon’s Protection and Advocacy agency is needed to decide exactly who the responsible parties are.
In early April 2006 I found out that a close friend of mine had stage 3 colon cancer. She had a profound developmental disability and was non-verbal. In order for critical health care decisions to be made on her behalf, she needed representatives who knew and cared about her to gather and interpret medical information and weigh all her options. An Advocacy Team was assembled including myself, two other staff members from her day program (who knew her well), and her Individual Service Plan (ISP) team. This consisted of a management staff representative of the day program provider (who saw her a few times a year), the owner of her foster home (who supervised her direct caregiver and ran other homes) and a county case manager (who was assigned my friend a few months earlier, and didn’t know her). A close friend of the day program representative was brought on board to act as health care representative (who didn’t know my friend prior to her diagnosis). We all met and decided that the case manager would look into what was covered under her health plan, the health care representative would get the medical record and a 2nd opinion. She committed to providing these documents to the team as soon as she got them. I said that I would look into treatment options. Without any of this being accomplished, other than the information I shared about diet and exercise being critical, she was placed in hospice about two weeks later.
Following that initial meeting where I and another Advocacy Team member voiced our opinion that treatment should likely occur, our participation in decision making was apparently no longer desired. Decisions were made without our input and we felt we were being regarded as tokens. He quit that “team. Instead, I joined her ISP team as her friend and advocate with no objection from any other ISP team member, and acknowledgement that it was appropriate for me to fill this role. From the beginning I insisted that in order to responsibly represent my friend in making decisions about her health care, we needed to see the medical record, get a 2nd opinion, and make sure we all knew what her options were. The rest of the ISP team was more interested in allowing her to die without any medical “interference.” In fact, in early June, without access to any medical record, I was asked by the day program representative to sign a form that would indicate that I agreed to refusing treatment – I declined.
I complained of medical neglect for months while my friend received no treatment. While I was researching diet and exercise, part of the team enrolled her in hospice and cancelled her home health aide; the case manager claimed she had no idea how that happened. While I was complaining of a service plan that didn’t address supports for her condition, the case manager scheduled a meeting to discuss a burial plan. While I complained of a team making decisions without having the medical record to look at, the Health Care Representative took a 10 day vacation to Greece, and the case manager took no action to get the medical record while she was gone. I had already contacted the Protection and Advocacy agency, but received no assistance from them in getting the medical record, even though I had alleged medical neglect. They could and should have gotten the medical record themselves by that time.
A consultation meeting with hospice that involved the entire ISP team only occurred after she had been enrolled in hospice for 2 weeks. This is supposed to happen before making the decision to elect hospice care. This “consultation” consisted of meeting with a hospice social worker and nurse who used what seemed to me like fear tactics to sell their services, including talking about going to a hospital as the indignity of being “loaded” and “hauled off” to an unfeeling and strange place that makes you “wait for hours” for care.
It was obvious that the ISP team would do anything to get me out of the picture and have my friend quietly fade away. My advocacy was characterized by the case manager’s supervisor as “disruptive” and “ancillary” to what the ISP team was doing (damn right), and he began trying to have me removed from my friend’s team. This is in violation of the Oregon Administrative Rule that says that the team can’t be changed when critical health care decisions are being made. He even went to the extent of trying to deceive the Protection and Advocacy agency and keep them out of the loop by changing their email address so they wouldn’t get the cc of his letter calling to remove me. Either that or they were directed by the P&A to do so. I filed a grievance with the county developmental disabilities program manager. She declined to communicate with me except through the county’s lawyer. I began to receive letters on official county lawyer letterhead. I asked for my friend’s grievance to be heard by a grievance committee, which is provided for in the state’s administrative rules. I was told that only the program manager and her lawyer would talk to me and the meeting would take place in the county lawyer’s office.
At the end of July my friend was taken off hospice but still received no treatment. The reason given for this move was that she wasn’t eligible for hospice because she wasn’t homebound. The fact is, she had been attending her day program 5 days a week and taking the public lift to get there since a week after hospice had begun.
Finally, in early August, the medical record was made available by the Healthcare Rep. This was 4 full months after her diagnosis and refusal of treatment by the other ISP team members. No 2nd opinion was included. What the Health Care Representative had been calling a 2nd opinion was an oncology consultation from a second doctor during the same hospital visit. I believe that no 2nd opinion was ever done. The doctor said that chemotherapy is the usual course of treatment and there were concerns about her communication and side effects. I discovered that the case manager and the day program representative had a meeting at the hospital with a social worker and decided then that she was incapable of chemotherapy. At the initial meeting back in early April, this was presented as a fact given to them by the doctors. I found that a hospice consultation was given, along with an in inaccurate reference to her being bed-bound and an opinion about her quality of life and disposition. There was no prognosis of 6 months as they had claimed. I also discovered that she had symptoms involving her intake and weight loss fifteen months earlier. In March an endoscopy had been recommended but wasn’t done.
A nurse from the Department of Human Services was assigned to the case and conversations about guardianship started. I complained to the Protection and Advocacy agency that the team was pursuing an inappropriate guardianship (I feared this was in order to put a “do not resuscitate” order in place). I never heard from the Protection and Advocacy agency what happened around the guardianship. I do know that when my wife went to the Association for Retarded Citizens to get information about pursuing guardianship ourselves, the ARC called the county developmental disabilities office and told them she had been there.
I had also called Protective Services to report possible medical neglect, but was told they wouldn’t investigate as long as the Protection and Advocacy agency was already involved. I now feel that the one regrettable mistake I made through this whole thing was in contacting the Protection and Advocacy agency, believing that she needed a lawyer. They never gave a clear answer as to whether or not they would even represent her. In the face of reams of evidence forwarded their way, the P&A did nothing that I am aware of. A well-documented trail of deceit, betrayal, delay and cover up of information continued until I finally left the ISP team, disgusted, in September.
She continued in her day program until late November, when it was announced that the cancer had spread and she was back in hospice. At 10:00 A.M. PST on December 14, 2006 my friend gave in to “pain killers” prescribed while she was on hospice care. I believe my friend was euthanized. I believe this was because she was unable to say “yes” or “no”. She was someone with a huge spirit and a small body. She was someone with a quiet demeanor and a profound developmental disability. In life she was easy to overlook, but the way she died will not be.
On January 10, I submitted a grievance with the P&A regarding their handling of my friend’s case. After not hearing from the executive director in 15 working days, I sent the grievance on to the board’s grievance committee. After not hearing from them after 30 days, I can only assume that my friend’s death and her life don’t merit their attention.
If you are wondering whether I can back up my claims here, the answer is YES. I have documentation that supports this true story and will share it selectively. What I am looking for in sending this out is feedback, advice, and legal assistance to ensure my friend’s death was not in vain. I also need help in getting as much exposure to this story as possible.
------------------------------------------------
After hearing nothing from either of them, I emailed them again on 11/12/08...
Dear Tina and Sara,
This email is kind of difficult for me to write. But I believe that sometimes the hardest thing to do is not the most comfortable thing to do, so I'll take my chances trusting in your desires to see justice served.
I am aware that responding to a story like this one involves a level of courage most people don't have, because it involves truly looking into the facts of what happened. And looking into those facts involves questioning the decisions and motives of people you might not want to question. So we're either going to have "selective" investigations of abuse and neglect in Oregon, or we're going to investigate ANYONE who has medically neglected a person with a developmental disability.
I'm requesting that a real investigation into what happened to my friend be done. This means looking at Disability Rights of Oregon and Multnomah County Developmental Disabilities. I have the details of the slipperiness right here in my computer. I just need someone who cares to allow me to show them what happened. If this can happen to Tracey without any accountability, it can happen to countless others in our state. Please do the right thing.
Sincerely,
David
-------------------------------------------
I’m sure that they have no intention in getting back to me at this point. I also believe the community needs to know how cowardly these women really are.
You Call Yourself a Christian?
How can anyone claim to be a Christian and support war? That is an impossibility. Being a Christian means you subscribe to the teachings of Christ, who was completely against the whole concept of war. In every thing he said in the Bible, he never once mentioned that killing others was an ok thing to do.
He DID however, speak of taking care of the poor, sick, and imprisoned populations. He never said we are to judge these people, but tend to their needs. I challenge anyone who believes wars are a necessity in the world to prove me wrong on either of these points.
So the next time you tell someone you are a Christian while supporting or participating in war, remember you are on your way to Hell according to the teachings of Jesus. It’s really that simple.
He DID however, speak of taking care of the poor, sick, and imprisoned populations. He never said we are to judge these people, but tend to their needs. I challenge anyone who believes wars are a necessity in the world to prove me wrong on either of these points.
So the next time you tell someone you are a Christian while supporting or participating in war, remember you are on your way to Hell according to the teachings of Jesus. It’s really that simple.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
I Can Only Assume
Someone from the state must want me to put this on my blog seeing how they've sent it to me 3 times in the last 24 hours (never happened before). Ok... here it is. Now stop sending it to me!
OFFICE OF THE SENATE PRESIDENT
900 Court St., N.E., Room S‐203
Salem OR 97301
www.leg.state.or.us/senate/senpres
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Robin Maxey November 17, 2008
(503) 986‐1605
robin.maxey@state.or.us
RISING UNEMPLOYMENT SHOWS NEED FOR LEGISLATURE TO CREATE JOBS, PROTECT SAFETY NET
Statement by Senate President Peter Courtney
“The release today of the October unemployment figures is the first of two sobering announcements I expect this week. The second will come in the form of Wednesday's quarterly revenue forecast. I expect it to be bad. I can handle bad. I just need to know how bad it’s going to be.
“The jump in unemployment in our state to 7.3 percent tells me two things. It is critical that the Legislature do all it can to protect the human services safety net on which more and more Oregonians will need to depend – things like food stamps, aid to needy families and health care for children. Plus, we must create jobs by making long overdue investments in our infrastructure.
“All of the experts – including the State Treasurer and the state economist – say the best thing the Legislature can do to help turn the economy around is to create jobs.
“As the most veteran member of the Oregon Legislature I have been through severe economic crisis in the past – in the early 80s as a freshman in the House and six years ago when it took five painful special sessions before we were able to stop the bleeding. Trying times like those teach you something. It is my goal for the Legislature to approach this recession with the wisdom learned from the pain Oregonians endured in 2002.
“We are already gathering information so that we can approach the 2009 session and the cuts that are going to be necessary in a way that will keep the criminals from running wild, protect education, protect the human services safety net and give us the ability to invest in jobs-creating infrastructure projects.”
OFFICE OF THE SENATE PRESIDENT
900 Court St., N.E., Room S‐203
Salem OR 97301
www.leg.state.or.us/senate/senpres
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Robin Maxey November 17, 2008
(503) 986‐1605
robin.maxey@state.or.us
RISING UNEMPLOYMENT SHOWS NEED FOR LEGISLATURE TO CREATE JOBS, PROTECT SAFETY NET
Statement by Senate President Peter Courtney
“The release today of the October unemployment figures is the first of two sobering announcements I expect this week. The second will come in the form of Wednesday's quarterly revenue forecast. I expect it to be bad. I can handle bad. I just need to know how bad it’s going to be.
“The jump in unemployment in our state to 7.3 percent tells me two things. It is critical that the Legislature do all it can to protect the human services safety net on which more and more Oregonians will need to depend – things like food stamps, aid to needy families and health care for children. Plus, we must create jobs by making long overdue investments in our infrastructure.
“All of the experts – including the State Treasurer and the state economist – say the best thing the Legislature can do to help turn the economy around is to create jobs.
“As the most veteran member of the Oregon Legislature I have been through severe economic crisis in the past – in the early 80s as a freshman in the House and six years ago when it took five painful special sessions before we were able to stop the bleeding. Trying times like those teach you something. It is my goal for the Legislature to approach this recession with the wisdom learned from the pain Oregonians endured in 2002.
“We are already gathering information so that we can approach the 2009 session and the cuts that are going to be necessary in a way that will keep the criminals from running wild, protect education, protect the human services safety net and give us the ability to invest in jobs-creating infrastructure projects.”
More Bleak News
I don't wish to be known as a "Negative Nellie", but I think reporting the news (good and bad)is important in the grand scheme of things. Hopefully folks will become more proactive around this stuff than reactive. From the Eugene Register Guard...
State revenues plunge, cuts planned
By David Steves
The Register-Guard
Published: Nov 19, 2008 09:51AM
SALEM — Oregon’s state revenues took their sharpest quarterly plunge since statehood, falling by $718 million, economists reported Wednesday.
The grim news triggered Gov. Ted Kulongoski’s call for across-the-board cuts of 5 percent from education, human services and public safety programs, which could take effect as soon as January.
The 4.6 percent drop since September is the largest, as a percentage of state general fund resources, since 2002, when those income tax and other revenues fell by 4.9 percent in a three-month period. In dollars, the dropoff was $506 million.
The plunging revenues, triggered by the national economic crisis, mean fewer dollars for public schools and universities, health care and safety-net programs and public safety.
The bleak news hit on two fronts. For the upcoming two-year spending cycle, which begins in July, Kulongoski and the Legislature are on track to fall $831 million, or 5 percent, short of the $16.9 billion needed to maintain all programs at their current levels.
For the current budget, which ends June 30, the Legislature and governor will have to find $142 million to keep the budget balanced.
Kulongoski said in a statement that across-the-board cuts to close that gap represented 1.2 percent of the overall 2007-09 budget. But since they would only apply to the biennium’s final six months, they would represent 5 percent of remaining spending for general-fund programs.
“Today’s forecast shows the depths of this recession and the economic uncertainty facing our state and our nation right now,” he said. “This recession demands tough decisions and requires shared sacrifice — and today’s action is the first of many difficult decisions that lie ahead.”
State revenues plunge, cuts planned
By David Steves
The Register-Guard
Published: Nov 19, 2008 09:51AM
SALEM — Oregon’s state revenues took their sharpest quarterly plunge since statehood, falling by $718 million, economists reported Wednesday.
The grim news triggered Gov. Ted Kulongoski’s call for across-the-board cuts of 5 percent from education, human services and public safety programs, which could take effect as soon as January.
The 4.6 percent drop since September is the largest, as a percentage of state general fund resources, since 2002, when those income tax and other revenues fell by 4.9 percent in a three-month period. In dollars, the dropoff was $506 million.
The plunging revenues, triggered by the national economic crisis, mean fewer dollars for public schools and universities, health care and safety-net programs and public safety.
The bleak news hit on two fronts. For the upcoming two-year spending cycle, which begins in July, Kulongoski and the Legislature are on track to fall $831 million, or 5 percent, short of the $16.9 billion needed to maintain all programs at their current levels.
For the current budget, which ends June 30, the Legislature and governor will have to find $142 million to keep the budget balanced.
Kulongoski said in a statement that across-the-board cuts to close that gap represented 1.2 percent of the overall 2007-09 budget. But since they would only apply to the biennium’s final six months, they would represent 5 percent of remaining spending for general-fund programs.
“Today’s forecast shows the depths of this recession and the economic uncertainty facing our state and our nation right now,” he said. “This recession demands tough decisions and requires shared sacrifice — and today’s action is the first of many difficult decisions that lie ahead.”
WE ARE STARVING!!
We are in bad shape here in Oregon. The level of poverty and hunger ranks as one of the highest in the Land. Our unemployment is right up there as well. At what point do we insist our legislature address our needs as a people? From the Medford Mail Tribune...
November 19, 2008
By Sanne Specht
Mail Tribune
New data depicts Oregon as one of the hungriest states in the country, with statistics showing big jumps in Southern Oregon residents needing food stamps and other assistance.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported on Monday that the current hunger rate in Oregon is 5.5 percent, among the highest in the nation and comparable to Mississippi, Maine, South Carolina and Georgia.
FOOD STAMP ELIGIBILITY
The maximum income for a family of three to qualify for food stamps is $2,713 a month. Benefits range from $14 to $426 per month for a family of three. To find out whether your family qualifies, call Oregon SafeNet at 1-800-723-3638 or visit the online benefits calculator at www.oregon.gov/dhs/assistance/.
That translates into about 78,000 Oregon households that, at some point during the year, skipped meals, shrank portions and worried about making it to the end of the month, said Mark Edwards, an Oregon State University sociologist and expert in hunger issues.
The worst news may be yet to come, Edwards said. The numbers reported on Monday are three-year averages, from 2005 through 2007. The data for 2008 has not yet been tallied, he said."In 2005 and 2007 this was how much worse it was getting. How much more so is it going to get with all the indicators — job loss, increase in food, fuel and housing costs? With all of the things that have happened in the past 11 months, we can certainly anticipate that the situation has gotten worse," said Edwards.
Representatives of area food banks report a 25 to 30 percent increase in people needing help in White City and west Medford, areas where there are greater concentrations of low-income households. The Salvation Army has seen a dramatic spike in October for its west Medford location, said Philip Yates, nutrition programs manager for ACCESS Inc.
"They went from being fairly consistent in serving 300 boxes to 600 boxes being served," Yates said.
At the same time, donations are down. A recent food drive by a local middle school garnered 46 percent less food than last year, said Yates."With increased need, our resources are in the decline," said Yates.
The number of people needing help with food, gas or rent has grown in the past year and accelerated in recent months. The Oregon Department of Human Services reported that the district including Medford, Ashland, Grants Pass and Cave Junction saw a 26 percent increase in the number of families relying on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families in October, compared with one year ago. The number of households relying on food stamps increased 19 percent since last year.
Statewide, the number of families receiving temporary assistance is up about 16 percent, or 2,900 families, from October 2007. Households receiving food stamps increased by approximately 13 percent, for an additional caseload of about 29,000 households compared with a year earlier.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families provides cash assistance to families who have children under the age of 18. To qualify, families must have very few assets and little or no income. The current maximum monthly benefit for a family of three is $528 and clients are expected to participate in the JOBS employment and training program.
Oregon's rate of food insecurity is similar to the national average, about 12 percent. But a larger proportion is experiencing very low food security, often referred to as "hunger," Edwards said.
Each year, the USDA measures hunger as "food insecurity" using an 18-item survey of thousands of U.S. households that asks adults about the decisions they made in the past year regarding putting food on the table for their families and themselves.
"We're not talking about people who just forgot their lunch one day. People are telling us, 'The food we bought just didn't last and we didn't have money to get more,'" said Edwards. "Or, 'We were coming to the end of the month and I had to go without eating so my kids could eat.' "
Food insecurity is not the same as starvation. But it does measure who may be "on the raw edge of hunger," said Lauri Stewart, spokeswoman for the Department of Human Services.
"People may be eating. But they're not eating reliably," she said.
Yates said he suspects the post-holiday season will be the worst for local food banks."People are in a giving spirit during the holidays. Our feeling here is that we'll see a huge spike in (need in) January and February," said Yates.
To offset that need, Yates has been asking businesses such as the Grange Co-op, Harry & David and Amy's Kitchen to give more. The companies' help is needed not only here in Jackson and Josephine counties, but in other areas across the state. As a statewide nonprofit food bank, ACCESS can trade excess Rogue Valley-generated goods for other items not locally available, he said.
In 2007, the Oregon Food Bank saw its first significant increase in demand for food boxes in several years due to the downturn in the economy, Edwards said.
However, the 5.5 percent rate increase does not take into account the more serious economic downturn in 2008, he said.
"I anticipate that the percentage of those experiencing hunger will go up even more next year given what our economy has experienced," Edwards said.
The recent survey showed a significant increase in two-parent families with children needing assistance, said Edwards."That's particularly disconcerting. People want to blame this on single parenthood. But we had especially high hunger rates among our traditional families," said Edwards.
Increased fuel, food and housing costs means it takes at least two minimum-wage earners to pay for basic needs, Yates said. ACCESS has seen many new families, particularly those of blue-collar workers, he said.
"We're seeing people in the construction industry. This wasn't usual for them but they felt they needed to come here for their families," said Yates.
These people may not know they are eligible, or they may resist asking for help — even as their need increases, Edwards said.
"We have a new group of people who may never have imagined they would qualify or who may have been critical of those who have needed help. These are folks who may feel quite a bit of shame in asking for help. But if you are in need, you should be able to get the help to tide you over until things get better," Edwards said.
November 19, 2008
By Sanne Specht
Mail Tribune
New data depicts Oregon as one of the hungriest states in the country, with statistics showing big jumps in Southern Oregon residents needing food stamps and other assistance.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported on Monday that the current hunger rate in Oregon is 5.5 percent, among the highest in the nation and comparable to Mississippi, Maine, South Carolina and Georgia.
FOOD STAMP ELIGIBILITY
The maximum income for a family of three to qualify for food stamps is $2,713 a month. Benefits range from $14 to $426 per month for a family of three. To find out whether your family qualifies, call Oregon SafeNet at 1-800-723-3638 or visit the online benefits calculator at www.oregon.gov/dhs/assistance/.
That translates into about 78,000 Oregon households that, at some point during the year, skipped meals, shrank portions and worried about making it to the end of the month, said Mark Edwards, an Oregon State University sociologist and expert in hunger issues.
The worst news may be yet to come, Edwards said. The numbers reported on Monday are three-year averages, from 2005 through 2007. The data for 2008 has not yet been tallied, he said."In 2005 and 2007 this was how much worse it was getting. How much more so is it going to get with all the indicators — job loss, increase in food, fuel and housing costs? With all of the things that have happened in the past 11 months, we can certainly anticipate that the situation has gotten worse," said Edwards.
Representatives of area food banks report a 25 to 30 percent increase in people needing help in White City and west Medford, areas where there are greater concentrations of low-income households. The Salvation Army has seen a dramatic spike in October for its west Medford location, said Philip Yates, nutrition programs manager for ACCESS Inc.
"They went from being fairly consistent in serving 300 boxes to 600 boxes being served," Yates said.
At the same time, donations are down. A recent food drive by a local middle school garnered 46 percent less food than last year, said Yates."With increased need, our resources are in the decline," said Yates.
The number of people needing help with food, gas or rent has grown in the past year and accelerated in recent months. The Oregon Department of Human Services reported that the district including Medford, Ashland, Grants Pass and Cave Junction saw a 26 percent increase in the number of families relying on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families in October, compared with one year ago. The number of households relying on food stamps increased 19 percent since last year.
Statewide, the number of families receiving temporary assistance is up about 16 percent, or 2,900 families, from October 2007. Households receiving food stamps increased by approximately 13 percent, for an additional caseload of about 29,000 households compared with a year earlier.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families provides cash assistance to families who have children under the age of 18. To qualify, families must have very few assets and little or no income. The current maximum monthly benefit for a family of three is $528 and clients are expected to participate in the JOBS employment and training program.
Oregon's rate of food insecurity is similar to the national average, about 12 percent. But a larger proportion is experiencing very low food security, often referred to as "hunger," Edwards said.
Each year, the USDA measures hunger as "food insecurity" using an 18-item survey of thousands of U.S. households that asks adults about the decisions they made in the past year regarding putting food on the table for their families and themselves.
"We're not talking about people who just forgot their lunch one day. People are telling us, 'The food we bought just didn't last and we didn't have money to get more,'" said Edwards. "Or, 'We were coming to the end of the month and I had to go without eating so my kids could eat.' "
Food insecurity is not the same as starvation. But it does measure who may be "on the raw edge of hunger," said Lauri Stewart, spokeswoman for the Department of Human Services.
"People may be eating. But they're not eating reliably," she said.
Yates said he suspects the post-holiday season will be the worst for local food banks."People are in a giving spirit during the holidays. Our feeling here is that we'll see a huge spike in (need in) January and February," said Yates.
To offset that need, Yates has been asking businesses such as the Grange Co-op, Harry & David and Amy's Kitchen to give more. The companies' help is needed not only here in Jackson and Josephine counties, but in other areas across the state. As a statewide nonprofit food bank, ACCESS can trade excess Rogue Valley-generated goods for other items not locally available, he said.
In 2007, the Oregon Food Bank saw its first significant increase in demand for food boxes in several years due to the downturn in the economy, Edwards said.
However, the 5.5 percent rate increase does not take into account the more serious economic downturn in 2008, he said.
"I anticipate that the percentage of those experiencing hunger will go up even more next year given what our economy has experienced," Edwards said.
The recent survey showed a significant increase in two-parent families with children needing assistance, said Edwards."That's particularly disconcerting. People want to blame this on single parenthood. But we had especially high hunger rates among our traditional families," said Edwards.
Increased fuel, food and housing costs means it takes at least two minimum-wage earners to pay for basic needs, Yates said. ACCESS has seen many new families, particularly those of blue-collar workers, he said.
"We're seeing people in the construction industry. This wasn't usual for them but they felt they needed to come here for their families," said Yates.
These people may not know they are eligible, or they may resist asking for help — even as their need increases, Edwards said.
"We have a new group of people who may never have imagined they would qualify or who may have been critical of those who have needed help. These are folks who may feel quite a bit of shame in asking for help. But if you are in need, you should be able to get the help to tide you over until things get better," Edwards said.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Deinstitutionalized My A##
In the Statesman Journal on Sunday was an article about people living in squalor in a Salem room and board home for folks with mental illness. Where is the OVERSITE?
From the Journal...
State's community care plan isn't working
But prospects for reform to help mentally ill look grim
November 18, 2008
Oregon's plan to deinstitutionalize care for people with mental illness has never worked as intended. The latest example is Harmony Manor, the squalid room-and-board facility that was profiled Sunday in the Statesman Journal.
Home to at least 22 mentally disabled people, the house on 14th Street NE appears filthy, tense and (when a reporter visited) cold. Some people suffer from mental illnesses so disabling that they stay in bed, refuse to bathe for long periods or misuse medications.
Julieta Lacandazo, who bought the home in September, seems well-intentioned. She says she has started making improvements such as replacing carpeting and hiring a half-time cook. She holds weekly house meetings to discuss issues such as what food residents would like.
But what she really needs is more frequent visits by county caseworkers to her clients with mental illness. She can't force her renters to take showers, change their beds or otherwise cope with daily life. However, trained professionals, checking regularly to see that clients are taking their medications, could make a big difference in tenants' ability to cope with communal life.
The state should do more to ensure that taxpayers get their money's worth from the nearly $11,000 of Social Security disability payments that tenants pay the owner each month for their housing and meals. There's no state oversight to determine whether the money is spent fairly — just a registration program so the state knows where the room-and-board homes are. That seems like a recipe for abuse.
The prospects for either reform aren't good. Marion County's mental-health workers already handle case management for 80 or more clients apiece. The department can't take on more responsibility without additional state money, said Marybeth Beall, a county behavioral health director.
Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, the Legislature's champion for causes involving mental illness, said Monday that he could make no promises regarding better case management or even better state oversight. The rising unemployment rate and the worsening revenue prospects are too grave.
The sorry thing about Harmony Manor is that this is not as bad as it gets for people with mental illness. If people can't make it in places like this, they become homeless — trying to survive in the outer reaches of our area's parks. Then, along with filth, cold and tension, they'll have to deal with rain, crime and police sweeps.
This is not the rosy picture of "community care" that was promised when Oregon closed some of its institutions. It's an embarrassment to Oregonians.
From the Journal...
State's community care plan isn't working
But prospects for reform to help mentally ill look grim
November 18, 2008
Oregon's plan to deinstitutionalize care for people with mental illness has never worked as intended. The latest example is Harmony Manor, the squalid room-and-board facility that was profiled Sunday in the Statesman Journal.
Home to at least 22 mentally disabled people, the house on 14th Street NE appears filthy, tense and (when a reporter visited) cold. Some people suffer from mental illnesses so disabling that they stay in bed, refuse to bathe for long periods or misuse medications.
Julieta Lacandazo, who bought the home in September, seems well-intentioned. She says she has started making improvements such as replacing carpeting and hiring a half-time cook. She holds weekly house meetings to discuss issues such as what food residents would like.
But what she really needs is more frequent visits by county caseworkers to her clients with mental illness. She can't force her renters to take showers, change their beds or otherwise cope with daily life. However, trained professionals, checking regularly to see that clients are taking their medications, could make a big difference in tenants' ability to cope with communal life.
The state should do more to ensure that taxpayers get their money's worth from the nearly $11,000 of Social Security disability payments that tenants pay the owner each month for their housing and meals. There's no state oversight to determine whether the money is spent fairly — just a registration program so the state knows where the room-and-board homes are. That seems like a recipe for abuse.
The prospects for either reform aren't good. Marion County's mental-health workers already handle case management for 80 or more clients apiece. The department can't take on more responsibility without additional state money, said Marybeth Beall, a county behavioral health director.
Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, the Legislature's champion for causes involving mental illness, said Monday that he could make no promises regarding better case management or even better state oversight. The rising unemployment rate and the worsening revenue prospects are too grave.
The sorry thing about Harmony Manor is that this is not as bad as it gets for people with mental illness. If people can't make it in places like this, they become homeless — trying to survive in the outer reaches of our area's parks. Then, along with filth, cold and tension, they'll have to deal with rain, crime and police sweeps.
This is not the rosy picture of "community care" that was promised when Oregon closed some of its institutions. It's an embarrassment to Oregonians.
Ya Just Never Know
Last month I wrote of a Goodwill employee in Tacoma who was killed on their loading dock, and how they were heavily fined by the Department of Labor & Industries. I also wrote that I was concerned about the safety training my nephew/son was receiving from Goodwill here in Oregon.
In my email this morning was a letter from Matthew Erlich, the Media Relations/PR Manager of Tacoma Goodwill Industries. He wrote:
David,
I wanted to make you aware that Tacoma Goodwill recently received a $1.6 million U.S. Department of Education grant to help people with disabilities receive job training and placement services. Below is the link to the story that ran Sunday in the Yakima Herald-Republic on the grant – and what it will do for the Yakima area. Attached is the general press release.
Here’s the link:
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2008/11/14/goodwill-gestures
Feel free to call me if you have any questions,
Matthew
Matthew Erlich
Media Relations/PR Manager
Tacoma Goodwill Industries
253.284.0015
merlich@tacomagoodwill.org
Because jobs change lives
This seemed a bit boastful and a tad "rub-your-face-in-it" to me so I wrote him back asking:
Hi Matthew,
I'm unclear as to why you sent me this email. Do I know you?
David
He wrote back:
David,
You don’t. But DAWG ran a brief item on an L&I case involving a tragic loss at Tacoma Goodwill earlier this year. I thought it would be worth noting some additional news involving people with disabilities, and as DAWG focuses on that type of news, you’re the person to send it to.
Matthew
I suspected such an answer, so I wrote:
I see. I could also write about Goodwill "participants" being ineligible for any sort of benefits, being paid piece rate most of the time, and Michael Miller being one of the highest paid non profit CEOs in America.
Can't wait to see if I hear back...
In my email this morning was a letter from Matthew Erlich, the Media Relations/PR Manager of Tacoma Goodwill Industries. He wrote:
David,
I wanted to make you aware that Tacoma Goodwill recently received a $1.6 million U.S. Department of Education grant to help people with disabilities receive job training and placement services. Below is the link to the story that ran Sunday in the Yakima Herald-Republic on the grant – and what it will do for the Yakima area. Attached is the general press release.
Here’s the link:
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2008/11/14/goodwill-gestures
Feel free to call me if you have any questions,
Matthew
Matthew Erlich
Media Relations/PR Manager
Tacoma Goodwill Industries
253.284.0015
merlich@tacomagoodwill.org
Because jobs change lives
This seemed a bit boastful and a tad "rub-your-face-in-it" to me so I wrote him back asking:
Hi Matthew,
I'm unclear as to why you sent me this email. Do I know you?
David
He wrote back:
David,
You don’t. But DAWG ran a brief item on an L&I case involving a tragic loss at Tacoma Goodwill earlier this year. I thought it would be worth noting some additional news involving people with disabilities, and as DAWG focuses on that type of news, you’re the person to send it to.
Matthew
I suspected such an answer, so I wrote:
I see. I could also write about Goodwill "participants" being ineligible for any sort of benefits, being paid piece rate most of the time, and Michael Miller being one of the highest paid non profit CEOs in America.
Can't wait to see if I hear back...
Portland Rip Off
Yesterday afternoon, I went downtown to a meeting at the United Way building. I plugged the meter with extra coins because I wasn't sure how long the meeting would last, and I didn't want to get a parking ticket. In fact,I put in $2.35 which would cover me from 4:19 until 6:11, figuring the meeting would definitely be over by 6:00.
I was right. We got back to my truck by 5:50. Lo and behold, there's a ticket under my wiper. I was surely pissed, but couldn't read it in the darkness. When we got home I read what the ticket was for. It said; "Receipt On Streetside No Receipt Curbside" and came with a $24 fine.
Ok... I made a mistake. I always park on the right hand side of the road, and have made a habit of placing the sticker on the passenger (curbside) window. I believe a warning of some kind was in order. But paying $24 for the inconvenience I may have caused a Meter Officer seems ridiculous to me. The person would have had to simply step into the street to see the sticker! So the city of Portland wants me to fork over $24 because of this additional effort and stress placed on a valued employee?
I don't believe that's the case at all. I think the city of Portland wants to get the money of the citizens of Portland any way they can. That disappoints and angers me. Any day now the TV commercials will be starting; telling everyone to "do your Christmas shopping in lovely downtown Portland". They can forget about this old man coming anywhere near downtown for anything less than meetings.
I was right. We got back to my truck by 5:50. Lo and behold, there's a ticket under my wiper. I was surely pissed, but couldn't read it in the darkness. When we got home I read what the ticket was for. It said; "Receipt On Streetside No Receipt Curbside" and came with a $24 fine.
Ok... I made a mistake. I always park on the right hand side of the road, and have made a habit of placing the sticker on the passenger (curbside) window. I believe a warning of some kind was in order. But paying $24 for the inconvenience I may have caused a Meter Officer seems ridiculous to me. The person would have had to simply step into the street to see the sticker! So the city of Portland wants me to fork over $24 because of this additional effort and stress placed on a valued employee?
I don't believe that's the case at all. I think the city of Portland wants to get the money of the citizens of Portland any way they can. That disappoints and angers me. Any day now the TV commercials will be starting; telling everyone to "do your Christmas shopping in lovely downtown Portland". They can forget about this old man coming anywhere near downtown for anything less than meetings.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
1 Day Of Cultural Competency Can Change the World!
All it really takes is a one day training to make someone culturally competent, right? That's what Bruce Goldberg says... well, maybe not exactly, but close.
November 14, 2008
To: All DHS employees
From: Bruce Goldberg, M.D., director
An ongoing commitment to diversity
"Leadership is practiced not so much in words as in attitude and in actions."
~Harold S. Geneen
Our agency has a commitment to diversity and it is up to all of us to demonstrate that our commitment is sincere and ongoing. As our client population increases in diversity we must match that trend by becoming a more multicultural workplace, and we are doing that. We also must ensure that our work and the services we provide are culturally competent. We are doing that as well. That is why, as the start of a renewed and ongoing effort to ensure cultural competency, all of us have completed a one-day cultural competency class.
Finally, we must do more to eliminate disparities in health, services and outcomes among our client groups. At its core, this is an issue of equity and social justice, and it is what I want to talk about today.
The health of our population and the outcomes we achieve in our programs should not differ by race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status or geographic location. When these differences do exist, and unfortunately they do, they are referred to as disparities, and a disparity is an inequality.
For example, although just 1 percent of kids in Oregon are African American and 1.5 percent are Native American, these children make up 7 percent and 10 percent of the children in foster care. Those same Native American children account for 5 percent of uninsured children in the state. Hispanic and rural youngsters also are over-represented among Oregon's uninsured kids.
If you are African American or Native American in Oregon you are twice as likely to have diabetes as the general population, and African Americans are twice as likely to die from diabetes. In 2004 only 69 percent of Hispanic women had prenatal care in the first trimester, compared to 84 percent of white women.
Hispanic teens are six times more likely than white teens to give birth. The infant mortality rate for African Americans is twice that of white babies. Forty percent of African American men die prematurely from cardiovascular disease, compared to 21 percent of white men.
These disparities among Oregon's population groups are a call to action and we at DHS have an obligation to do all we can to eliminate disparities. To do so will require a comprehensive strategy incorporating research, education, policy changes, changes in how we do our work and community partnerships, which will be fundamental to accomplishing this goal. As Oregon grows more diverse, it becomes even more urgent that we tackle this issue.
This is an issue that spans DHS and all of our programs. That's why I've moved the Office of Multicultural Health and Services (OMHS) into the Director's Office, and we have been recruiting for an OMHS Administrator who can lead our efforts to better serve diverse populations and eliminate disparities.
We must become better service providers for every Oregonian. We must seek new and creative ways to reach out to the full range of individuals who live in Oregon, and to find new partners who can help. Oregon is depending on all of us.
November 14, 2008
To: All DHS employees
From: Bruce Goldberg, M.D., director
An ongoing commitment to diversity
"Leadership is practiced not so much in words as in attitude and in actions."
~Harold S. Geneen
Our agency has a commitment to diversity and it is up to all of us to demonstrate that our commitment is sincere and ongoing. As our client population increases in diversity we must match that trend by becoming a more multicultural workplace, and we are doing that. We also must ensure that our work and the services we provide are culturally competent. We are doing that as well. That is why, as the start of a renewed and ongoing effort to ensure cultural competency, all of us have completed a one-day cultural competency class.
Finally, we must do more to eliminate disparities in health, services and outcomes among our client groups. At its core, this is an issue of equity and social justice, and it is what I want to talk about today.
The health of our population and the outcomes we achieve in our programs should not differ by race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status or geographic location. When these differences do exist, and unfortunately they do, they are referred to as disparities, and a disparity is an inequality.
For example, although just 1 percent of kids in Oregon are African American and 1.5 percent are Native American, these children make up 7 percent and 10 percent of the children in foster care. Those same Native American children account for 5 percent of uninsured children in the state. Hispanic and rural youngsters also are over-represented among Oregon's uninsured kids.
If you are African American or Native American in Oregon you are twice as likely to have diabetes as the general population, and African Americans are twice as likely to die from diabetes. In 2004 only 69 percent of Hispanic women had prenatal care in the first trimester, compared to 84 percent of white women.
Hispanic teens are six times more likely than white teens to give birth. The infant mortality rate for African Americans is twice that of white babies. Forty percent of African American men die prematurely from cardiovascular disease, compared to 21 percent of white men.
These disparities among Oregon's population groups are a call to action and we at DHS have an obligation to do all we can to eliminate disparities. To do so will require a comprehensive strategy incorporating research, education, policy changes, changes in how we do our work and community partnerships, which will be fundamental to accomplishing this goal. As Oregon grows more diverse, it becomes even more urgent that we tackle this issue.
This is an issue that spans DHS and all of our programs. That's why I've moved the Office of Multicultural Health and Services (OMHS) into the Director's Office, and we have been recruiting for an OMHS Administrator who can lead our efforts to better serve diverse populations and eliminate disparities.
We must become better service providers for every Oregonian. We must seek new and creative ways to reach out to the full range of individuals who live in Oregon, and to find new partners who can help. Oregon is depending on all of us.
Morris Dees Slam Dunks the KKK
The trial is over. The KKK is going to have to come up with 2.5 million for damages. This may put them out of business...
Nov. 14, 2008
Dear Friend,
We won a great victory today in our lawsuit against the Imperial Klans of America (IKA) and its leader, Ron Edwards.
The jury awarded a $2.5 million verdict to our client, Jordan Gruver, who was brutally beaten by IKA members while attending a county fair in Brandenburg, Ky.
The people of Meade County, Kentucky, have spoken loudly and clearly. And what they've said is that ethnic violence has no place in our society, that those who promote hate and violence will be held accountable and made to pay a steep price.
Jordan is understandably gratified by the verdict. And he's relieved that the ordeal of the trial is over, though he will never fully recover from his nightmare.
We know the IKA does not have the assets to pay the full verdict. But we look forward to collecting every dime that we can for Jordan and to putting this violent organization out of business.
Details about the case and verdict are available on our website.
We've received numerous messages of support over the past few days. We greatly appreciate your commitment to tolerance and justice.
Sincerely,
Morris Dees
Founder
Nov. 14, 2008
Dear Friend,
We won a great victory today in our lawsuit against the Imperial Klans of America (IKA) and its leader, Ron Edwards.
The jury awarded a $2.5 million verdict to our client, Jordan Gruver, who was brutally beaten by IKA members while attending a county fair in Brandenburg, Ky.
The people of Meade County, Kentucky, have spoken loudly and clearly. And what they've said is that ethnic violence has no place in our society, that those who promote hate and violence will be held accountable and made to pay a steep price.
Jordan is understandably gratified by the verdict. And he's relieved that the ordeal of the trial is over, though he will never fully recover from his nightmare.
We know the IKA does not have the assets to pay the full verdict. But we look forward to collecting every dime that we can for Jordan and to putting this violent organization out of business.
Details about the case and verdict are available on our website.
We've received numerous messages of support over the past few days. We greatly appreciate your commitment to tolerance and justice.
Sincerely,
Morris Dees
Founder
Friday, November 14, 2008
When You Can't Fight Back
The thing that bothers me most about this article, is the dude KNEW how vulnerable the man in the wheelchair is. Even if he wasn't going to push him into the river, he played on that vulnerability.
Man Arrested In Wheelchair Assault
CORVALLIS, Ore. - Police arrested a man for allegedly hitting a wheelchair-bound victim, then trying to push him into the Willamette River.
Investigators say 44-year-old Ronald Baynum had an ongoing dispute with the victim. One day last week, they say he hit that wheelchair-bound man on the head. Then, he told him he was going to send him into the river.
A witness told police that Baynum pushed the victim to the edge of a steep dropoff, when the bank falls about 40 feet to the water. The wheelchair victim hollered for help, some nearby people heard his cries and ran at Baynum. He hopped on his bicycle and got away, but was arrested later.
The victim's wheelchair ended up about a foot short of the dropoff.
Ronald Baynum is charged with kidnapping, coercion, menacing and reckless endangering.
Man Arrested In Wheelchair Assault
CORVALLIS, Ore. - Police arrested a man for allegedly hitting a wheelchair-bound victim, then trying to push him into the Willamette River.
Investigators say 44-year-old Ronald Baynum had an ongoing dispute with the victim. One day last week, they say he hit that wheelchair-bound man on the head. Then, he told him he was going to send him into the river.
A witness told police that Baynum pushed the victim to the edge of a steep dropoff, when the bank falls about 40 feet to the water. The wheelchair victim hollered for help, some nearby people heard his cries and ran at Baynum. He hopped on his bicycle and got away, but was arrested later.
The victim's wheelchair ended up about a foot short of the dropoff.
Ronald Baynum is charged with kidnapping, coercion, menacing and reckless endangering.
2nd Day Of Klan Trial
Nov. 13, 2008
Dear Friend,
We heard remarkable testimony at trial today in our case against Ron Edwards, the leader of the Imperial Klans of America (IKA) and his top lieutenant, Jarred Hensley.
A former Klansman stunned the courtroom when he told the jury that Edwards ordered him to kill SPLC founder and chief trial counsel Morris Dees in the late 1990s.
Fortunately, an undercover FBI investigation foiled the plot. The would-be assassin served three years in prison, but Edwards was never charged — and the extent of his involvement had not been disclosed until today.
We also heard testimony today from two Klansmen who were present the night our client, Jordan Gruver, was brutally beaten by IKA members recruiting at a county fair in Brandenburg, Ky. They testified that Edwards is motivated by greed and obsessed with recruiting new members so that he can fill his coffers with donations and membership dues.
You can read full coverage of today's testimony on our blog.
We have long believed that litigation is but one tool we can use to fight injustice and intolerance. We also believe that by reaching children before their minds are filled with bias, we can prevent some of the hatred that resulted in the case we're trying today. We're pleased to report that today an estimated four million students in thousands of schools participated in our annual Mix It Up At Lunch Day and crossed social and racial boundaries by sitting down with someone new at lunch.
Morris and I would like to thank you for your support. We'll continue updating you over the next couple of days as we wrap up the trial.
Sincerely,
Richard Cohen
CEO and President
Dear Friend,
We heard remarkable testimony at trial today in our case against Ron Edwards, the leader of the Imperial Klans of America (IKA) and his top lieutenant, Jarred Hensley.
A former Klansman stunned the courtroom when he told the jury that Edwards ordered him to kill SPLC founder and chief trial counsel Morris Dees in the late 1990s.
Fortunately, an undercover FBI investigation foiled the plot. The would-be assassin served three years in prison, but Edwards was never charged — and the extent of his involvement had not been disclosed until today.
We also heard testimony today from two Klansmen who were present the night our client, Jordan Gruver, was brutally beaten by IKA members recruiting at a county fair in Brandenburg, Ky. They testified that Edwards is motivated by greed and obsessed with recruiting new members so that he can fill his coffers with donations and membership dues.
You can read full coverage of today's testimony on our blog.
We have long believed that litigation is but one tool we can use to fight injustice and intolerance. We also believe that by reaching children before their minds are filled with bias, we can prevent some of the hatred that resulted in the case we're trying today. We're pleased to report that today an estimated four million students in thousands of schools participated in our annual Mix It Up At Lunch Day and crossed social and racial boundaries by sitting down with someone new at lunch.
Morris and I would like to thank you for your support. We'll continue updating you over the next couple of days as we wrap up the trial.
Sincerely,
Richard Cohen
CEO and President
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Legislative "Furniture"
For the last 1/2 hour I've been watching the Joint Committee on Legislative Administration on the Oregon Channel. They are debating on how many times they get to move their office furniture free of charge. I mean really... is this what our state government has come to?
Hello Representatives Richardson and Hannah. There are people starving in your districts. It almost looked like President Courtney was going to pop a blood vessel as he facilitated this waste of tax dollars. Are these people so poor that they have to fret over furniture moving costs. They all have on suits, which tells me they're ok.
I'm reminded here of Alan Iverson and his now famous press conference about "practice". These people need to figure out how they're going to fix our broken budget, and get over the whole furniture debate.
Hello Representatives Richardson and Hannah. There are people starving in your districts. It almost looked like President Courtney was going to pop a blood vessel as he facilitated this waste of tax dollars. Are these people so poor that they have to fret over furniture moving costs. They all have on suits, which tells me they're ok.
I'm reminded here of Alan Iverson and his now famous press conference about "practice". These people need to figure out how they're going to fix our broken budget, and get over the whole furniture debate.
The Times They Are A-Changin'
Guess what Oregon? You don't have to act like a republican no more! The days of passivity are over! We can finally bring to bare the restoration of civil and human rights in Oregon, and tell the truth! Doesn't THAT feel great??
I'm afraid for some, it may be too late, but not me. I've been practicing singing an old familiar song, accapella (the whole guitar thing is too much), and plan to get my wife involved. I never realized there are 5 verses, as different people perform it different ways. I prefer the way it was written in 1963, by none other than Bob Dylan himself. Now my task is finding a venue to sing it. If you have any ideas, please let me know.
The Times They Are A-Changin'
Come gather 'round people wherever you roam
And admit that the waters around you have grown
And accept it that soon you'll be drenched to the bone
If your time to you is worth saving
Then you'd better start swimming or you'll sink like a stone
Oh the times they are a-changin'
Come writers and critics who prophecise with your pen
And keep your eyes wide, the chance won't come again
And don't speak too soon, for the wheel's still in spin
And there's no tellin' who that it's namin'
For the loser now will be later to win
Oh the times they are a-changin'
Come Senators, Congressmen, please heed the call
Don't stand in the doorway don't block up the hall
For he who gets hurt, will be be he who has stalled
There's a battle outside and it's raging
It'll soon break your windows and rattle your walls
Oh the times they are a-changin'
Come mothers and fathers throughout the land
And don't criticize what you can't understand
Your sons and your daughters are beyond your command
And your old road is rapidly aging
Please get out of the way if you can't lend a hand
Oh the times they are a-changin'
The line is drawn, the curse it is cast
The slow one now will later be fast
As the present now will later be last
The order is rapidly fading
And the first one now will later be last
Oh the times they are a-changin'
Oh the times they are a-changin'
I'm afraid for some, it may be too late, but not me. I've been practicing singing an old familiar song, accapella (the whole guitar thing is too much), and plan to get my wife involved. I never realized there are 5 verses, as different people perform it different ways. I prefer the way it was written in 1963, by none other than Bob Dylan himself. Now my task is finding a venue to sing it. If you have any ideas, please let me know.
The Times They Are A-Changin'
Come gather 'round people wherever you roam
And admit that the waters around you have grown
And accept it that soon you'll be drenched to the bone
If your time to you is worth saving
Then you'd better start swimming or you'll sink like a stone
Oh the times they are a-changin'
Come writers and critics who prophecise with your pen
And keep your eyes wide, the chance won't come again
And don't speak too soon, for the wheel's still in spin
And there's no tellin' who that it's namin'
For the loser now will be later to win
Oh the times they are a-changin'
Come Senators, Congressmen, please heed the call
Don't stand in the doorway don't block up the hall
For he who gets hurt, will be be he who has stalled
There's a battle outside and it's raging
It'll soon break your windows and rattle your walls
Oh the times they are a-changin'
Come mothers and fathers throughout the land
And don't criticize what you can't understand
Your sons and your daughters are beyond your command
And your old road is rapidly aging
Please get out of the way if you can't lend a hand
Oh the times they are a-changin'
The line is drawn, the curse it is cast
The slow one now will later be fast
As the present now will later be last
The order is rapidly fading
And the first one now will later be last
Oh the times they are a-changin'
Oh the times they are a-changin'
Update ON KKK Trial
I received this letter from Brandenburg, Kentucky, where the trial of the Imperial Wizard of the Imperial Klans of America is under way. It looks like there is some compelling evidence which should lead to a conviction...
Nov. 12, 2008
Dear Friend,
Morris Dees and I are here in Brandenburg, Kentucky, where we just finished the first day of trial in our lawsuit against Ron Edwards, leader of the Imperial Klans of America, and one of his key lieutenants. Our client, Jordan Gruver, was severely beaten, knocked to the ground, and kicked by two Klansmen wearing steel-toed boots.
This morning, we selected a jury and called as witnesses one police officer who saw Jordan being kicked by two Klansmen, and another who interviewed Jordan after the attack and described him as a physical and emotional wreck. Jordan's jaw was wired shut, and he was afraid for his life.
We also put Imperial Wizard Edwards on the stand and presented evidence about the annual white-power rally he hosts, where Klansmen, racist skinheads and neo-Nazis are encouraged to commit violence against minorities. Edwards will be back on the stand tomorrow.
You can read more coverage of the trial on our blog. I'll update you again after tomorrow's testimony.
Thanks for standing with us in our fight against hate and injustice.
Sincerely,
Richard Cohen
CEO and President
Nov. 12, 2008
Dear Friend,
Morris Dees and I are here in Brandenburg, Kentucky, where we just finished the first day of trial in our lawsuit against Ron Edwards, leader of the Imperial Klans of America, and one of his key lieutenants. Our client, Jordan Gruver, was severely beaten, knocked to the ground, and kicked by two Klansmen wearing steel-toed boots.
This morning, we selected a jury and called as witnesses one police officer who saw Jordan being kicked by two Klansmen, and another who interviewed Jordan after the attack and described him as a physical and emotional wreck. Jordan's jaw was wired shut, and he was afraid for his life.
We also put Imperial Wizard Edwards on the stand and presented evidence about the annual white-power rally he hosts, where Klansmen, racist skinheads and neo-Nazis are encouraged to commit violence against minorities. Edwards will be back on the stand tomorrow.
You can read more coverage of the trial on our blog. I'll update you again after tomorrow's testimony.
Thanks for standing with us in our fight against hate and injustice.
Sincerely,
Richard Cohen
CEO and President
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
A Good Looking Plan (Did I Say That?)
It’s looking more and more like Barack Obama is going to make a good President where disability issues are concerned. He has a pretty comprehensive plan for leveling the playing field. I was hoping that a civil rights attorney would have a better understanding of what is needed, and he seems to have that going on. Now, if he’ll just mandate a combining of physical and mental disabilities, putting them in alignment here in Oregon, we’ll be well on our way to equality. I’m linking here to his plan from his website.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Morris Dees Takes on IKA
I think it's only fitting that Morris Dees from the Southern Poverty Law Center is going to court this Wednesday to take on the Imperial Wizard of the Imperial Klans of America. It was 20 years ago on that date that Mulugeta Seraw, an Ethiopian National, was murdered on the streets of Portland by racist skinheads. Below is a letter he sent out yesterday.
Nov. 10, 2008
Dear Friend,
I'm writing to you from Brandenburg, Kentucky, where I'll be going to court Wednesday against the leader of Imperial Klans of America (IKA) to win justice for a teenage boy who was brutally beaten by IKA members.
Led by Imperial Wizard Ron Edwards, the IKA is one of the largest and most dangerous Klan organizations in the country. Each year, Edwards hosts a "white-power" rally at his compound, where he indoctrinates followers in hate and violence through speeches, music and the display of violent, racist imagery. They even bring little children to this festival of hate.
You may recall that our client, Jordan Gruver, was attacked by Klansmen who had attended one of Edwards' white-power rallies and were recruiting for the IKA at a county fair. They thought Jordan was, in their words, an "illegal spic." Jordan, who's a U.S. citizen, suffered serious injuries, including a broken jaw.
I wish you could be in the courtroom with us, but it's not wise. We've received numerous threats since we filed the suit.
I'm deeply grateful to you for helping us seek justice for Jordan and, hopefully, put these hate-mongers out of business.
SPLC President Richard Cohen, who is here with me, will be updating you on our progress throughout the trial.
Sincerely,
Morris Dees
Nov. 10, 2008
Dear Friend,
I'm writing to you from Brandenburg, Kentucky, where I'll be going to court Wednesday against the leader of Imperial Klans of America (IKA) to win justice for a teenage boy who was brutally beaten by IKA members.
Led by Imperial Wizard Ron Edwards, the IKA is one of the largest and most dangerous Klan organizations in the country. Each year, Edwards hosts a "white-power" rally at his compound, where he indoctrinates followers in hate and violence through speeches, music and the display of violent, racist imagery. They even bring little children to this festival of hate.
You may recall that our client, Jordan Gruver, was attacked by Klansmen who had attended one of Edwards' white-power rallies and were recruiting for the IKA at a county fair. They thought Jordan was, in their words, an "illegal spic." Jordan, who's a U.S. citizen, suffered serious injuries, including a broken jaw.
I wish you could be in the courtroom with us, but it's not wise. We've received numerous threats since we filed the suit.
I'm deeply grateful to you for helping us seek justice for Jordan and, hopefully, put these hate-mongers out of business.
SPLC President Richard Cohen, who is here with me, will be updating you on our progress throughout the trial.
Sincerely,
Morris Dees
Suffer The Children
It’s kind of confusing when you keep getting these mixed messages of where the economy is right now. From the AP...
Economy Forcing Children's Center To Close
Christie Care Will Close In 2 Weeks
PORTLAND, Ore. -- A local children's care facility was hit hard by the economic crisis, forcing it to close its doors.
The Children's Receiving Center, also known as Christie Care, said some of its programs can't rely on state funding anymore.
In about two weeks, a local resource center for children and their families will have to shut its doors.
News of the Christie Care having to close hit home with a lot of families who rely on the program.
The organization used to receive five cents on the dollar from the state to fund its various programs. But with the economic crisis in full swing, that's become too much for the state.
Christie Care is one of the only resource centers in the nation that helps children who are either abused or neglected. The program takes in children to provide them with support services while keeping them in familiar environments.
The organization prides itself on keeping siblings together, but Friday the Oregon Department of Human Services said the cost to keep the Children's Center open is too much.
So in two weeks, Christie Care will shut down operations. It's something the director said will be very hard to do.
"I think the people who are most affected by this transition period -- again DHS may pick up the services and provide them in a different way -- are the children and families that have relied on that service to meet their interim needs," said Lynne Saxton, the director of Christie Care.
Even though Christie Care is closing, it will still answer its crisis hot line.
The director said the organization is hopeful that in the future the state will find money to start up the program once again.
Economy Forcing Children's Center To Close
Christie Care Will Close In 2 Weeks
PORTLAND, Ore. -- A local children's care facility was hit hard by the economic crisis, forcing it to close its doors.
The Children's Receiving Center, also known as Christie Care, said some of its programs can't rely on state funding anymore.
In about two weeks, a local resource center for children and their families will have to shut its doors.
News of the Christie Care having to close hit home with a lot of families who rely on the program.
The organization used to receive five cents on the dollar from the state to fund its various programs. But with the economic crisis in full swing, that's become too much for the state.
Christie Care is one of the only resource centers in the nation that helps children who are either abused or neglected. The program takes in children to provide them with support services while keeping them in familiar environments.
The organization prides itself on keeping siblings together, but Friday the Oregon Department of Human Services said the cost to keep the Children's Center open is too much.
So in two weeks, Christie Care will shut down operations. It's something the director said will be very hard to do.
"I think the people who are most affected by this transition period -- again DHS may pick up the services and provide them in a different way -- are the children and families that have relied on that service to meet their interim needs," said Lynne Saxton, the director of Christie Care.
Even though Christie Care is closing, it will still answer its crisis hot line.
The director said the organization is hopeful that in the future the state will find money to start up the program once again.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
What Other Folks Are saying
Though I'm taking a "wait and see" approach to the Obama presidency, there are others who strongly believe we are in for some great times. This letter came from the president of the Southern Poverty Law Center...
Dear Friend,
What an exhilarating night!
We've just witnessed an historic transformation, one of those singular moments in our history that we'll all remember for the rest of our lives.
In this new day, all our children can dare to believe in the promise of the American ideal, the principle that their horizons are limited only by the reach of their aspirations, not by the color of their skin.
Around the world, people everywhere are seeing a new face of America, one that is more tolerant and more just. This is a credit to the sacrifices and the determination of millions of people, like you, who have worked so hard to make equality in our country more than just a dream. As President-elect Obama said to his supporters last night, "This is your victory."
This election, of course, can never erase the ugly stain of slavery and cannot reverse overnight its terrible, enduring legacy of poverty, discrimination and bigotry.
Nor does it mark the end of overt hate and racism. The campaign exposed deep hostility and even rage among some white Americans who cannot yet accept the idea of a black man as our nation's leader. And many white supremacists believe this election will rally white people to their cause, especially when our economy is teetering on the edge of an abyss.
I hope and believe that they are wrong, that the growing number of Americans who cherish justice and tolerance will drown out the fear and bigotry that have held our country back for too long.
For now, let's all celebrate the promise of a new era. Tomorrow, let's get back to work to make that promise a reality.
Sincerely,
Richard Cohen, CEO and President
Dear Friend,
What an exhilarating night!
We've just witnessed an historic transformation, one of those singular moments in our history that we'll all remember for the rest of our lives.
In this new day, all our children can dare to believe in the promise of the American ideal, the principle that their horizons are limited only by the reach of their aspirations, not by the color of their skin.
Around the world, people everywhere are seeing a new face of America, one that is more tolerant and more just. This is a credit to the sacrifices and the determination of millions of people, like you, who have worked so hard to make equality in our country more than just a dream. As President-elect Obama said to his supporters last night, "This is your victory."
This election, of course, can never erase the ugly stain of slavery and cannot reverse overnight its terrible, enduring legacy of poverty, discrimination and bigotry.
Nor does it mark the end of overt hate and racism. The campaign exposed deep hostility and even rage among some white Americans who cannot yet accept the idea of a black man as our nation's leader. And many white supremacists believe this election will rally white people to their cause, especially when our economy is teetering on the edge of an abyss.
I hope and believe that they are wrong, that the growing number of Americans who cherish justice and tolerance will drown out the fear and bigotry that have held our country back for too long.
For now, let's all celebrate the promise of a new era. Tomorrow, let's get back to work to make that promise a reality.
Sincerely,
Richard Cohen, CEO and President
Obama and Disablity
About a week ago I posted about how the Republicans were likely to steal the Presidential election. I WAS WRONG.
The fact that Obama won in a landslide gives me some real hope. He is/was a civil rights attorney, so hopefully he "gets it". He should be able to see how people with disabilities are discriminated against as much (or more than) as black people in America. And... he should see that these people's needs are not currently being met by a long shot.
I attended a meeting yesterday where the DHS budget was brought up. The news was not good, and there is the potential for deeper cuts than the 10% I wrote about the other day. Rather than becoming fearful, I found myself becoming angry. Angry that those who need help in Oregon, must grovel for the crumbs left behind by their non-disabled counterparts. Angry that corporations in our state barely pay any taxes, and receive a corporate "kicker" each year. Angry that people are so lethargic that they'd support suffering through silence.
Now, we have a new president. Someone who spoke of "spreading the wealth around" as he campaigned. Will he be a friend to people with disabilities? Will he do his part to ensure they have a decent existence in America? I have the audacity of hope that he does.
The fact that Obama won in a landslide gives me some real hope. He is/was a civil rights attorney, so hopefully he "gets it". He should be able to see how people with disabilities are discriminated against as much (or more than) as black people in America. And... he should see that these people's needs are not currently being met by a long shot.
I attended a meeting yesterday where the DHS budget was brought up. The news was not good, and there is the potential for deeper cuts than the 10% I wrote about the other day. Rather than becoming fearful, I found myself becoming angry. Angry that those who need help in Oregon, must grovel for the crumbs left behind by their non-disabled counterparts. Angry that corporations in our state barely pay any taxes, and receive a corporate "kicker" each year. Angry that people are so lethargic that they'd support suffering through silence.
Now, we have a new president. Someone who spoke of "spreading the wealth around" as he campaigned. Will he be a friend to people with disabilities? Will he do his part to ensure they have a decent existence in America? I have the audacity of hope that he does.
Open Letter to Crazy Female Bicyclist
Dear Crazy Female Bicyclist,
2 mornings ago you came dangerously close to hitting me with your bike as you careened down Willamette Boulevard, near the corner of Greeley Avenue. You actually stopped me in my tracks as you began yelling "Get out of the f###ing street". Your male partner also came close to hitting my wife, which would be a big mistake.
There are a few points you need to be aware of. I'm writing them here, as the two times this has happened you continued on your way.
1.) The sidewalks in this part of town are unsafe to walk on in the dark. I'm not about to risk a broken ankle so that you can win some kind of time trial on your bike.
2.) Feel free to contact the Mayor to request that the money he wants to spend on bike paths be used instead to fix the sidewalks.
3.) It is not breaking any law to walk in the street in Portland, but it is against the law to threaten someone by purposely aiming your bike at them.
4.) If you do this again, I will take your action as an act of aggression, and will in fact, shove you and/or your male companion as you ride by.
5.) Each day, as we walk along this path, at least 7 other bicyclists ride by us. I have never had problems with any of them.
I want to make myself clear that it is you who must change your anti-social behavior, and stop trying to restrict us as we happily walk along.
Sincerely,
David
2 mornings ago you came dangerously close to hitting me with your bike as you careened down Willamette Boulevard, near the corner of Greeley Avenue. You actually stopped me in my tracks as you began yelling "Get out of the f###ing street". Your male partner also came close to hitting my wife, which would be a big mistake.
There are a few points you need to be aware of. I'm writing them here, as the two times this has happened you continued on your way.
1.) The sidewalks in this part of town are unsafe to walk on in the dark. I'm not about to risk a broken ankle so that you can win some kind of time trial on your bike.
2.) Feel free to contact the Mayor to request that the money he wants to spend on bike paths be used instead to fix the sidewalks.
3.) It is not breaking any law to walk in the street in Portland, but it is against the law to threaten someone by purposely aiming your bike at them.
4.) If you do this again, I will take your action as an act of aggression, and will in fact, shove you and/or your male companion as you ride by.
5.) Each day, as we walk along this path, at least 7 other bicyclists ride by us. I have never had problems with any of them.
I want to make myself clear that it is you who must change your anti-social behavior, and stop trying to restrict us as we happily walk along.
Sincerely,
David
Monday, November 03, 2008
10% Off People's Lives In Oregon
Well, they’re doing it again... the state has a plan to balance the Human Services budget off the backs of people (primarily with developmental disabilities)who need assistance. You don’t really wonder why I run this blog, right? And, you are getting the idea that when I talk about the civil rights of these folks constantly being violated, that I may have a point?? Here’s a summary of how the state plans to reduce DHS spending by 10%.
TOTAL 10% PROPOSED DHS REDUCTIONS
STATE FUNDS
(General & Lottery) OTHER FUNDS Federal Funds (Limited) Total
(413,504,241) (9,812,976) (458,107,783) (881,425,000)
SPD (Mostly) Cuts Culled from the Whole DHS 10% Cut List.
Biggest Provider Concern Is the COLA Delay Proposals
Note: Funds are listed as State Funds, Other Funds, Federal Funds and Total Funds. Often there’s not an Other category, so if you see only 3, assume that #2 is Federal. If there’s only two amts, assume GF and TF.
Delay COLA increases within DHS control - COLA
Additional 6 month delay COLA increases within increases for program service provider contracts would be delayed to start January 2010 rather than July 2009.
(11,360,313) (1,051,356) (17,637,728) (30,049,397
1.) These are the people who work to provide the assistance folks need in the community. As it is, they make between $8.50 and 10.00 per hour.
Cut Supported Employment - SE 38. Cut Supported Employment Services to 280 people with Mental Illness per year. Loss of these services means that people with mental illness won’t be able to find jobs, learn the skills needed to get and keep jobs. Without the benefits of work some will have trouble managing their illness and may require more intensive levels of care including state hospital services. This cut jeopardizes the MH Block Grant MOE requirements. (1,000,000) (1,000,000)
2.)Without Supported Employment, folks will be living on around $650 per month unless they have a work history to draw from.
Eliminate remaining dental for OHP Plus adults, except pregnant women. This reduction option would eliminate all dental services for non-pregnant adults, ages 21 and older who are covered under the OHP Plus and Standard Benefit packages.
(22,862,032) (38,960,662) (61,822,694)
3.) It’s a well known fact that people with disabilities (who qualify for OHP Plus) have a history of some very serious dental problems. They will pay for this out of pocket?
Limit OHP Plus adult vision services. This reduction option would eliminate routine vision coverage for all OHP Plus non-pregnant adults, age21 and older. Only a very limited number of clients in this group would qualify for vision overage due to medically necessary diagnoses to restore vision due to surgical removal or congenital absence of the natural lens. The reimbursements for this limited number of clients eligible for exams and vision products would be very small.
(4,893,721) (8,339,705) (13,233,426)
4.) Who needs glasses anyway?
DHS control - adjust contract services to delay COLA start date to July 1, 2010. (Does not apply to administrative budget items.)
(11,360,313) (1,051,356) (17,637,728) (30,049,397)
Restructure and Reduce Employed Persons with Disabilities (EPD) Program - Originally in 1999 was designed as a program for in-home clients who need some supports to enable them to be employed outside the home. Currently, 912 clients, of which half are DD, are served by a "sheltered employment" program. Policy discussion on continuation and purpose of this
program. 21 month implementation for the reduction.
(3,093,052) (3,862,740) (6,955,792)
5.) Sheltered Employment also includes day programs. If these go under, chances are that Group Homes and Foster Care will need to hire additional staff. Think the state will go along with that idea?
Reduction of General Fund to DD Housing Fund in Base Budget - The GF provides funding to the DD Housing Fund each biennium. Currently the Housing fund Base Budget is $9.7 million. An adjustment to recognize and additional $2.4 million in prior fund balance and interest will increase the Base Budget to $12 million in the Fall 08 Rebalance. The program has not indicated a strong plan to expend the $9.7 in current reserves and maintenance resources. GF support for the program can be reduced.
(2,500,000) (2,500,000)
6.) Who needs a place to live anyway?
Institution- SOCP - Program Support Hiring Freeze- Implement a hiriing freeze for the 2009-2011 biennium except for critical need and direct care staff positions in the SPD SOCP budget. Assumes 1% savings salary costs of $89.0 million TF, for estimated savings of $0.8 million TF. This is a one time savings for 6 month savings starting 7/1/09.
(78,144) (128,612) (206,757)
DD Service Element 45- A 24 month program reduction to a limited number of clients in Nursing Facilities who receive Nursing Facilities Specialized Services- 25 hours of employment or alternatives to employment, currently 100% General Funded services offered but not mandated in the DD program. Clients who receive this services can be better served in a community based setting. Places CAP at 15 clients@$719/mo.
(444,769) (444,769
7.) 15 clients, huh? What about the other 2 or 3 hundred living in Nursing Facilities?
Reduce Children In-home Intensive Services Medically Fragile Unit Budget - This reduction would reduce the budget for the MFP and recognize 1/3 of these children have private pay-in. Both in 2005-07and 2007-09 the State Plan includes services to both SPD and CAF children. These children require specialized nursing care due to being on vents. Parental income is not considered for financial eligibility for this population.
(1,861,888) (3,272,301) (5,134,188)
8.) Who needs to breathe anyway?
Restructure and reduce Special Projects DD Service Element 57- This is a 48.72% reduction in the Community Training budget portion of this service element which provides training to DD community providers.
(1,227,200) (772,800) (2,000,000
9.) This comes on the heels of the Governor saying “any level of abuse is unacceptable”. How are the providers going to be trained around abuse?
Reduction of Comp 300 Clients in Base Budget(EBL 50-040-05) - Reduce by 50% projection assumption of 130 clients entering DD Comprehensive services. Postpones final roll out of Staley Agreement by deferring 65 clients to 2011-13. A total of 130 people were projected, this will assume services for 65 people who will enter Comprehensive Services without having to go through Crisis Diversion (will not have to reach the Crisis level) before DD Comprehensive Services are offered. Removes administrative cost for CDDP caseload and services for 65 clients in EBL base budget.
(4,469,147) (6,946,411) (11,415,558)
10.) There is a lawsuit agreement that will need to be addressed here. Comp 300 was supposed to be completed by 2007. The agreement was already renegotiated once in 2004.
Reduction of DD Brokerage Support Services in Base Budget (EBL 50-040-06) - One of the final program requirements of the Staley Re-Settlement Agreement requires the DD program to provide services within 90 days (eliminating wait list). The Base Budget assumes opening to two new Brokerages in Oregon in 2009-11, each serving 700 potential new clients thus increasing Brokerage capacity by 1,400. This reduction assumes only opening one new Brokerage serving 700 clients and deferral of second Brokerage until 2011-2013. Current Brokerage capacity of 5,800 slots is at approximately 76% capacity, serving 4,700. Removes administrative cost of one brokerage development and services for 700 clients in EBL base budget. Should capacity need to be increased, SPD would bring the caseload driven issue to a Rebalance.
(6,115,070) (3,082,822) (9,197,892)
11.) Brokerages provide case management services to people with developmental disabilities. Many of those waiting for help have been waiting for 30 or 40 years. All Brokerages were also expected to be set up by 2007.
Restructure and reduce In-home Services and Family Support GF program in DD -35.17% reduction of In-home Services and Family Support Program.
(6,000,000) (6,000,000)
12.) Families will lose some seriously needed money here. That’s how the state treats you when you care for a disabled loved one at home.
Are we going to stand by and watch all this happen? Are we?
TOTAL 10% PROPOSED DHS REDUCTIONS
STATE FUNDS
(General & Lottery) OTHER FUNDS Federal Funds (Limited) Total
(413,504,241) (9,812,976) (458,107,783) (881,425,000)
SPD (Mostly) Cuts Culled from the Whole DHS 10% Cut List.
Biggest Provider Concern Is the COLA Delay Proposals
Note: Funds are listed as State Funds, Other Funds, Federal Funds and Total Funds. Often there’s not an Other category, so if you see only 3, assume that #2 is Federal. If there’s only two amts, assume GF and TF.
Delay COLA increases within DHS control - COLA
Additional 6 month delay COLA increases within increases for program service provider contracts would be delayed to start January 2010 rather than July 2009.
(11,360,313) (1,051,356) (17,637,728) (30,049,397
1.) These are the people who work to provide the assistance folks need in the community. As it is, they make between $8.50 and 10.00 per hour.
Cut Supported Employment - SE 38. Cut Supported Employment Services to 280 people with Mental Illness per year. Loss of these services means that people with mental illness won’t be able to find jobs, learn the skills needed to get and keep jobs. Without the benefits of work some will have trouble managing their illness and may require more intensive levels of care including state hospital services. This cut jeopardizes the MH Block Grant MOE requirements. (1,000,000) (1,000,000)
2.)Without Supported Employment, folks will be living on around $650 per month unless they have a work history to draw from.
Eliminate remaining dental for OHP Plus adults, except pregnant women. This reduction option would eliminate all dental services for non-pregnant adults, ages 21 and older who are covered under the OHP Plus and Standard Benefit packages.
(22,862,032) (38,960,662) (61,822,694)
3.) It’s a well known fact that people with disabilities (who qualify for OHP Plus) have a history of some very serious dental problems. They will pay for this out of pocket?
Limit OHP Plus adult vision services. This reduction option would eliminate routine vision coverage for all OHP Plus non-pregnant adults, age21 and older. Only a very limited number of clients in this group would qualify for vision overage due to medically necessary diagnoses to restore vision due to surgical removal or congenital absence of the natural lens. The reimbursements for this limited number of clients eligible for exams and vision products would be very small.
(4,893,721) (8,339,705) (13,233,426)
4.) Who needs glasses anyway?
DHS control - adjust contract services to delay COLA start date to July 1, 2010. (Does not apply to administrative budget items.)
(11,360,313) (1,051,356) (17,637,728) (30,049,397)
Restructure and Reduce Employed Persons with Disabilities (EPD) Program - Originally in 1999 was designed as a program for in-home clients who need some supports to enable them to be employed outside the home. Currently, 912 clients, of which half are DD, are served by a "sheltered employment" program. Policy discussion on continuation and purpose of this
program. 21 month implementation for the reduction.
(3,093,052) (3,862,740) (6,955,792)
5.) Sheltered Employment also includes day programs. If these go under, chances are that Group Homes and Foster Care will need to hire additional staff. Think the state will go along with that idea?
Reduction of General Fund to DD Housing Fund in Base Budget - The GF provides funding to the DD Housing Fund each biennium. Currently the Housing fund Base Budget is $9.7 million. An adjustment to recognize and additional $2.4 million in prior fund balance and interest will increase the Base Budget to $12 million in the Fall 08 Rebalance. The program has not indicated a strong plan to expend the $9.7 in current reserves and maintenance resources. GF support for the program can be reduced.
(2,500,000) (2,500,000)
6.) Who needs a place to live anyway?
Institution- SOCP - Program Support Hiring Freeze- Implement a hiriing freeze for the 2009-2011 biennium except for critical need and direct care staff positions in the SPD SOCP budget. Assumes 1% savings salary costs of $89.0 million TF, for estimated savings of $0.8 million TF. This is a one time savings for 6 month savings starting 7/1/09.
(78,144) (128,612) (206,757)
DD Service Element 45- A 24 month program reduction to a limited number of clients in Nursing Facilities who receive Nursing Facilities Specialized Services- 25 hours of employment or alternatives to employment, currently 100% General Funded services offered but not mandated in the DD program. Clients who receive this services can be better served in a community based setting. Places CAP at 15 clients@$719/mo.
(444,769) (444,769
7.) 15 clients, huh? What about the other 2 or 3 hundred living in Nursing Facilities?
Reduce Children In-home Intensive Services Medically Fragile Unit Budget - This reduction would reduce the budget for the MFP and recognize 1/3 of these children have private pay-in. Both in 2005-07and 2007-09 the State Plan includes services to both SPD and CAF children. These children require specialized nursing care due to being on vents. Parental income is not considered for financial eligibility for this population.
(1,861,888) (3,272,301) (5,134,188)
8.) Who needs to breathe anyway?
Restructure and reduce Special Projects DD Service Element 57- This is a 48.72% reduction in the Community Training budget portion of this service element which provides training to DD community providers.
(1,227,200) (772,800) (2,000,000
9.) This comes on the heels of the Governor saying “any level of abuse is unacceptable”. How are the providers going to be trained around abuse?
Reduction of Comp 300 Clients in Base Budget(EBL 50-040-05) - Reduce by 50% projection assumption of 130 clients entering DD Comprehensive services. Postpones final roll out of Staley Agreement by deferring 65 clients to 2011-13. A total of 130 people were projected, this will assume services for 65 people who will enter Comprehensive Services without having to go through Crisis Diversion (will not have to reach the Crisis level) before DD Comprehensive Services are offered. Removes administrative cost for CDDP caseload and services for 65 clients in EBL base budget.
(4,469,147) (6,946,411) (11,415,558)
10.) There is a lawsuit agreement that will need to be addressed here. Comp 300 was supposed to be completed by 2007. The agreement was already renegotiated once in 2004.
Reduction of DD Brokerage Support Services in Base Budget (EBL 50-040-06) - One of the final program requirements of the Staley Re-Settlement Agreement requires the DD program to provide services within 90 days (eliminating wait list). The Base Budget assumes opening to two new Brokerages in Oregon in 2009-11, each serving 700 potential new clients thus increasing Brokerage capacity by 1,400. This reduction assumes only opening one new Brokerage serving 700 clients and deferral of second Brokerage until 2011-2013. Current Brokerage capacity of 5,800 slots is at approximately 76% capacity, serving 4,700. Removes administrative cost of one brokerage development and services for 700 clients in EBL base budget. Should capacity need to be increased, SPD would bring the caseload driven issue to a Rebalance.
(6,115,070) (3,082,822) (9,197,892)
11.) Brokerages provide case management services to people with developmental disabilities. Many of those waiting for help have been waiting for 30 or 40 years. All Brokerages were also expected to be set up by 2007.
Restructure and reduce In-home Services and Family Support GF program in DD -35.17% reduction of In-home Services and Family Support Program.
(6,000,000) (6,000,000)
12.) Families will lose some seriously needed money here. That’s how the state treats you when you care for a disabled loved one at home.
Are we going to stand by and watch all this happen? Are we?
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Finally... They Spot a Hate Crime
The US Department of Justice has come out with a new list of the hate crimes committed in Oregon in 2007, and guess what? If you thought I was going to say there were none committed against people with disabilities, you’re wrong. In fact, one hate crime was “committed” against a person with a disability in Portland in 2007. One? Yup, that’s it.
I suppose one prosecution is better than none, which has been the case here for the previous three years. And I understand that hate crimes are hard to prove, but it can be done. I hope that soon the police, prosecutors, and judges will be trained on how to pursue hate crime charges on behalf of people with disabilities. Until that happens, you can believe that crimes will continue to be committed against these human beings, with little consequence to the criminals.
Number of incidents per bias motivation
I suppose one prosecution is better than none, which has been the case here for the previous three years. And I understand that hate crimes are hard to prove, but it can be done. I hope that soon the police, prosecutors, and judges will be trained on how to pursue hate crime charges on behalf of people with disabilities. Until that happens, you can believe that crimes will continue to be committed against these human beings, with little consequence to the criminals.
Number of incidents per bias motivation
| Race | Religion | Sexual orientation | Ethnicity | Disability | ||
| Total | 77 | 28 | 37 | 27 | 1 | |
| Cities | 67 | 20 | 34 | 24 | 1 | |
| Albany | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Ashland | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Beaverton | 6 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| Bend | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Boardman | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Canby | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Corvallis | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Eagle Point | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Grants Pass | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Hermiston | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Keizer | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| La Grande | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Lincoln City | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Medford | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Newberg-Dundee | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Newport | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Portland | 20 | 11 | 22 | 9 | 1 | |
| Redmond | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Rogue River | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Roseburg | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Salem | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | |
| Seaside | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Silverton | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Springfield | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| Stayton | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Tigard | 16 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Tillamook | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Woodburn | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Counties | 6 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 0 | |
| Benton | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Clackamas | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deschutes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Jackson | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Lane | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Marion | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Yamhill | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Douglas | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Lincoln | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Tillamook | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Umatilla | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| State Police Agencies | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| State Police, Washington County | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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