RELATED ALERT: H.R. 3995 - COSPONSORS NEEDED
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VOR ACTION ALERT
SUPPORT YOUR VOR MEMBERS TRAVELING TO WASHINGTON, DC
June 2007
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Contents
1. The VOR Washington Initiative is the week of June 11 support VOR
participants with your calls and letters
2. Overview of the Issues
3. Template Phone Message
4. Template Fax/Letter Message
5. Congressional Contact Information
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1. The VOR Washington Initiative is the week of June 11 support VOR
participants with your calls and letters
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VOR members from around the country will be traveling to Washington, D.C.
this coming week to attend VORs Annual Meeting and Washington Initiative.
At least 27 states will be represented and every Congressional office will
be visited the week of June 11.
You can help!
We know from feedback from participants in past years, and from
Congressional offices, that VORs issues and credibility are elevated when
calls and faxes arrive at the time VOR members are also blanketing Capitol
Hill.
Therefore, we are asking all VOR advocates to make calls and fax letters
between now and Friday, June 15.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!!!
An overview of the issues, template call and fax messages,
and Congressional contact information follows.
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2. Overview of the Issues
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For the 2007 Washington Initiative, the 2007 Reauthorization of the
Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Right Act (DD Act) is our
primary concern. While the DD Acts policy endorses residential choice, one
DD Act program state Protection and Advocacy (P&A) agencies - repeatedly
brings class action lawsuits which, in some cases, have led to the
downsizing and closure of intermediate care facilities for persons with
mental retardation (ICFs/MR), a Medicaid certified and funded program.
These federally funded actions often displace thousands of severely disabled,
medically-fragile people from their long-term homes, often at great peril
(see, http://www.vor.net/abuse_neglect.htm).
Congress can help. VOR is seeking amendments to the DD Act to require P&A
to consult with, and obtain agreement from the residents of an ICF/MR it seeks
to represent or, where appropriate, their families and guardians, before a
lawsuit on behalf of residents (for more information visit
http://www.vor.net/DDAct2007.html).
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3. Template Phone Message
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I am a constituent. My family member has mental retardation and he/she
relies heavily on Medicaid-supported services. During the week of June 11,
a VOR representative, on my behalf, will be sharing with your office a
folder with a number of positions on legislation that will, if passed,
impact my family member with mental retardation. I especially support VORs
suggested amendments to the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill
of Rights Act, which will be reauthorized this year. The reforms they
suggest will give families a say in where their profoundly disabled loved
ones receive services and supports, and require that the federally funded
organization, Protection and Advocacy, consult with families. Thank you for
supporting this common sense proposal.
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4. Template Fax Message
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June 2007
PROTECT CHOICE AND EMPOWER FAMILIES:
AMEND THE DD ACT
Dear Rep/Senator _____________:
I am your constituent and a member of VOR (Voice of the Retarded). During
the week of June 11, your office will receive a visit from a VOR
representative.
Of primary concern to VOR this year is the upcoming Reauthorization of the
Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Right Act. While the DD
Acts policy endorses residential choice, one DD Act program state
Protection and Advocacy (P&A) agencies - repeatedly brings class action
lawsuits which, in some cases, have led to the downsizing and closure of
intermediate care facilities for persons with mental retardation (ICFs/MR),
a Medicaid certified and funded program. These federally funded actions
often displace thousands of severely disabled, medically-fragile people
from their long-term homes, often at great peril (see,
http://www.vor.net/abuse_neglect.htm).
Congress can help. VOR is seeking amendments to the DD Act to require P&A
to consult with, and obtain agreement from the residents of an ICF/MR it seeks
to represent or, where appropriate, their families and guardians, before a
lawsuit on behalf of residents (for more information visit
http://www.vor.net/DDAct2007.html).
These issues are also very important to me and I share VORs perspective.
What we are seeking is common sense reform: Giving families a say in where
their profoundly disabled loved ones receive services and supports.
If you or your staff would like additional copies of the VOR presentation,
visit http://vor.net/2007Leave-Behind.htm, or contact Tamie Hopp at
605-399-1624; 605-484-8300 cell. Thank you for taking the time to review
VORs presentation and for your compassionate support.
Sincerely,
Name, Address, Phone, Fax, E-Mail
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5. Congressional Contact Information
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To identify your two Senators and one Representative, visit
http://www.congress.org. The Capitol Switchboard can also identify for your
Senators and Representative, and connect you to their offices:
1-202-224-3121.
At http://www.congress.org, you can also get direct phone and fax numbers.
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WE MUST ACT QUICKLY.
SEND YOUR FAX OR MAKE YOUR CALLS TODAY!!
THANK YOU FOR YOU PARTICIPATION
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