Folks,
I am posting this evening wearing two hats. First and foremost, as a parent who fears that independent advocacy services in our state are in grave jeopardy. Secondly, as a member of the board of directors of West Virginia Advocates, Inc.
As you may be aware, DHHR has had it in for WV Advocates for years. They've had an ongoing smear campaign in the press. They've brought the feds in for audits. They've conducted their own blatantly biased audits simultaneously. And they finagled the contracting process so that they could "award" the Hartley & Medley state contracts to EMS TSN -- an organization that is not independent by any stretch of the imagination. You can be sure that there will never be another case like Benjamin H. if this continues, and that's the way the state wants it.
Now, you may remember that I had my own gripes with WV Advocates back in the fall of 2000. Granted, the organization has had its problems. However, many things have since changed, and I can say with conviction that the organization is solid & its leadership sound. I have never encountered a more dedicated, committed, inspiring group of individuals in my life. Period. My fellow board members are simply amazing, most of them parents of children with disabilities.
The federal auditor's last report documented enormous improvements in virtually every facet of WV Advocates' operations, with high praise for staff, administration, and board.
Well, DHHR has now persuaded the governor that WV Advocates should be de-designated as the state's protection & advocacy agency, and the governor's office has initiated the process required to do so. What does this mean? It means that, if successful, the federal contracts for advocacy services would be awarded to the new designee, and if DHHR has their way (and we've already seen how they manage contracting issues) that new P&A would be under their thumb, just like the Hartley/Medley contractor now is.
What does that mean to you? Well, to put it quite simply, you're screwed. If you need assistance, you'll have to rely on an organization that is beholden to the state to go to bat for you, to fight for the rights of your loved ones. Don't hold your breath! And systemic reform? Forget about it! Why should they bother? Who's going to hold them accountable? Talk about the fox guarding the hen house! This action is being taken by the state, for the state -- not because they're worried about you or me or our families.
Fortunately for us all, the de-designation process does not occur in a vacuum. They must allow a public comment period, hold public hearings, as well as permit WV Advocates to contest this action. As I understand it, notices requesting public comment are supposed to be forthcoming (probably deeply buried in the newspapers throughout the state).
This matter is every bit as critical to you and your family as voting. I urge you to make your opinion known, loud & clear. Write to the governor. Write to your congressional representatives. Write to the feds. Write letters to the editors. There is truly no time to waste. I've included contact information below.
Be counted! Ask yourself: If not me, who? If not now, when?
- Debi
WV Contact Information:
Governor Bob Wise (governor@wvgov.org)
Contact Bob Wise
http://www.wvgov.org/eForm.asp
Edward H. Staats (EStaats@wvgov.org)
Director of Operations, Office of the Governor
WV Newspapers
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/iAdvocate/files/WVnewspapers.htm
Paul L. Nusbaum (PaulNusbaum@wvdhhr.org)
Secretary, WVDHHR
State Capitol Complex
Bldg 3 Rm 206
Charleston WV 25305
(304) 558-1130 (fax)
(304) 558-0684
Steve Wiseman (SWiseman@wvdhhr.org)
Director, WV DD Council
110 Stockton Street
Charleston WV 25312-2521
(304) 558-0416
(304) 558-0941 (fax)
David G. Sudbeck
Behavioral Health Ombudsman
1900 Washington St E
Bldg 6 Rm 850
Charleston WV 25305
(304) 558-2159
(304) 558-2378 (fax)
WV Legislature
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/iAdvocate/files/WVlegislature.htm
State phone Directory
http://www.state.wv.us/scripts/phone/default.cfm
Federal Contact Information:
Administration for Children & Families, Region III
Public Ledger Building, Suite 864
150 S. Independence Mall West
Philadelphia PA 19106
(215) 861-4000
(215) 861-4070 (fax)
David J. Lett (DLett@ACF.DHHS.GOV)
Regional Adminstrator, ACF Region III
Edward Vreeswyk (EVreeswyk@ACF.DHHS.GOV)
Program Manager, ACF Region III
Edward Wisniewski (EWisniewski@ACF.DHHS.GOV)
Financial Operations Specialist, ACF Region III
Alonzo Stewart (AStewart@ACF.DHHS.GOV)
Program Specialist, ADD, ACF
Joanne Moore (JoMoore@ACF.DHHS.GOV)
Grants Specialist, ACF
Michael Hill (MHill@ACF.DHHS.GOV)
Division of Financial Integrity, ACF
HHS Employee Directory
http://directory.psc.gov/employee.htm
WAIVER MANUAL ONLINE
http://www.wvdhhr.org/obhs/pdfs/Revised_Waiver_Manual.PDF
JOBS GROUP: WV Waiver Jobs
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WV_waiver_jobs
WVWF CHAT ROOM
http://freechat.raidersoft.com/sigmachat.pl?room=13425
Internet Resources for West Virginians with Special Needs
http://members.aol.com/MiscWV/resources.htm