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Olmstead Executive Order

Action Alert

Table of Contents

1. Your letters to the White House Domestic Policy Council are needed now!
2. Template letter

If you are interested in seeing the ADAPT press releases relating to ADAPT's activity in Washington, contact me at E-mail

We need your help to immediately communicate to Director Bridgeland that
(1) ADAPT does not represent the entire disability community (indeed their constituency is primarily cognitively-able individuals with physical disabilities);
(2) ADAPT's interpretation of Olmstead is wrong; and
(3) your support for a meeting between VOR and Director Bridgeland.

VOR is not asking that you oppose the release of an Executive Order relating to Olmstead. Instead we wish to communicate to the Administration that the Executive Order must expressly indicate support for choice, including express support for the ICFs/MR program for those individuals with severe and profound mental retardation and other intense needs who require that level of support -- just as Olmstead requires.

A template letter for your use follows. We also ask that you send a copy of your letter to Director Bridgeland to your Congressmen. Contact information for your congressmen can be found at http://www.vor.net (see link at the bottom of the homepage), or by contacting me via E-mail. VOR would also welcome a copy of the letter you send.

Thank you very much for your participation in this letter writing campaign. Remember, there is not much time (less than 30 days). It is vitally important that we meet ADAPT's numbers with numbers of our own. You can be sure that the Administration is counting.

Sincerely,

Tamie Hopp
Executive Director

2. Template letterDATE

John Bridgeland, Director
Domestic Policy Council
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20500

By facsimile: 202-456-0127

Dear Director Bridgeland:

I am a member of Voice of the Retarded (VOR), the leading organization representing individuals with mental retardation and their families. VOR is the only national organization which supports the full continuum of quality care options available to people with mental retardation, including own-home, community-based options and the Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally Retarded (ICFs/MR).

I am also the [MOTHER/FATHER/SISTER/BROTHER/AUNT/UNCLE, ETC.] of [NAME]. He/She is currently receiving high quality services and supports in [SETTING/DESCRIPTION]. He/She requires this level of care because [BRIEFLY DESCRIBE FAMILY MEMBER'S NEEDS].

I understand that a commitment was made recently to ADAPT that an Olmstead Executive Order would be released within 30 days. Although I do not oppose the issuance of an Executive Order, you should know that ADAPT does NOT represent my family member. In fact, many of ADAPT's positions, including its interpretation of Olmstead, would eliminate my [SON, DAUGHTER, ETC] current living arrangement, isolating him/her from the high quality supports and loving staff that he/she requires for his/her survival. Please ensure that the Executive Order contains language which expressly embraces choice in residential options, including the Medicaid Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally Retarded (ICFs/MR) program. Such choice language is required by Olmstead and will help ensure that individuals with severe and profound mental retardation who require ICFs/MR supports will continue to have their needs met.

Finally, I understand that VOR has requested an opportunity to meet with you before the Executive Order is issued. As I do not feel my interests and thousands of families across the country who share my perspective were represented by ADAPT in their recent meeting, I urge you to meet with VOR. Responsible policy decisions are informed by a diverse perspectives. With respect to the issue at hand, failure to accommodate diverse viewpoints will be the difference between life and death for people like my [SON, DAUGHTER, ETC].

Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Sincerely,

NAME
ADDRESS
PHONE/FAX/E-MAIL

cc:     CONGRESSMEN
         VOR

VOR * 836 S. Arlington Heights Rd., #351 * Elk Grove Village, Illinois * 60007

877-399-4VOR ph. * 847-253-0675 fax * tamie327@hotmail.com