Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council 2011 Annual Report to the Citizens of Massachusetts October 1, 2010-September 30, 2011 Our Report to the Citizens The Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council is pleased to present our fifth annual Report to the Citizens of the Commonwealth. All reports covering the five-year State Plan period are located on the Council website www.mass.gov/mddc. The Council continues to use social media to educate citizens both with and without disabilities about the positive contributions people with developmental disabilities make to their communities. In 2011, the Council partnered with Imagivision Creative Works Films to premiere a new documentary, “The Sandy Houghton Story: An Inspirational Journey.” The film portrays the life of a woman with a developmental disability, highlighting her struggles and the barriers she overcame to become a leader and mentor in self-advocacy. Do you know someone with a developmental disability? Although the exact number is unknown, the Council estimates that over 153,000 Massachusetts citizens have a developmental disability. A developmental disability is defined under Public Law 106-402, in the Developmental Disabilities Act. For more information please visit: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/add Bridgewater State University: Partner in Innovation The Council partnered with Bridgewater State University to offer the Self-Advocacy Leadership Series to students in southeastern Massachusetts transitioning from high school. This collaboration, with combined support from seven Massachusetts regional school districts, has made it possible to offer 31 high school graduates with disabilities an opportunity to experience class on a college campus. Students learned the fundamentals of self-advocacy, developed leadership skills, and expanded their goals to include college in their future. Students attended from a wide range of school districts including Marshfield, Foxboro, North Attleboro, Weymouth, Brockton, Whitman-Hanson and Carver. Please visit our website, www.mass.gov/mddc for more information! Providing opportunities for people with developmental disabilities and their families to enhance independence, productivity, and inclusion. The Sandy Houghton Story: An Inspirational Journey Follow us on Facebook! 1150 Hancock Street | Phone: 617.770.7676 Third Floor, Suite 300 | Fax: 617.770.1987 Quincy, MA 02169-4340 | TTY: 617.770.9499 Council Empowerment Funds: Personal Testimonies Tell the Story Over the past five years the Council Empowerment Fund has been used by over 650 people, enabling self-advocates and family members to attend over 400 events to enhance their knowledge of disabilities and systems advocacy skills. “My son had a truly empowering experience listening to other adults with disabilities talk about their independent lives and the options they were creating for themselves with assistance. It was the first time he had ever participated in a conference like this.” – Parent of an Individual with a Developmental Disability. “I am a 40-year old man who was diagnosed with William's Syndrome at the age of two. I was thrilled to have an opportunity to go to Indiana for the Best Buddies Leadership Conference (because of Council Empowerment Funds.) The conference had special designed sessions and workshops for Buddies who are interested in developing public speaking skills.” – Person with a developmental disability. Developmental Disabilities Suite The Council’s Developmental Disabilities Suite (DD Suite) data management and reporting system, an innovative partnership with DD Councils across the country, obtained a $1 million commitment over the next five years to continue further enhancement of the system. Accomplishments and Achievements Accomplishments from 2011 The Council implemented sixteen projects in the area of Community Supports. 8,959 individuals received the supports they needed and over $9 million was leveraged for community supports. We undertook six projects in the area of Education and Transition. Over $8 million was leveraged for transition, 1,450 people were trained in inclusive education, 592 parents were trained about education rights, and over 13,000 students received needed education supports. The Council implemented four projects in the area of Employment and over $365,000 was leveraged for employment initiatives, 14 new adults with disabilities now work in jobs of their choice. The Council undertook 12 projects in the area of Self- Advocacy/Leadership. Over 52,000 people benefited from the Council’s Self Advocacy and Leadership efforts, and 925 people were trained in leadership, self-advocacy and self-determination. An additional $239,000 was leveraged for self-advocacy initiatives and 47 self-advocates attained leadership positions. The Council implemented 11 Policymaker Education and Public Awareness projects conducted to support activities in the related Areas of Emphasis. Over 935,000 Massachusetts citizens were reached by the Council and partner public awareness activities, 275 public policymakers were educated about the Council’s priorities, and 38 products related to Council initiatives were disseminated to policymakers. The Council is conducting a comprehensive five-year analysis of program performance, which will be available on the Council’s website www.mass.gov/mddc in the future. Please visit our website, www.mass.gov/mddc for more information! Page 2 of 4 Our Performance and Areas of Emphasis Federal law mandates that Councils undertake advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change activities that contribute to a coordinated, individual and family-centered and directed, comprehensive system of community services and supports. Areas of Emphasis are identified by the U.S. Administration on Developmental Disabilities. Councils identify goals and objectives, undertaking program initiatives to successfully meet targets under the Areas of Emphasis through a reporting of performance measures. For more information visit http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/add/. Toward Systems Change: Key Public Policy Success Cross-Disability Advocacy Coalition The Cross-Disability Advocacy Coalition (CDAC) was creat- ed through a partnership between the Council and the Disa- bility Law Center. The CDAC’s vision is “to become a strong, united voice for people with all disabilities across the Commonwealth.” The group was created to unify the voices of people of all disabilities advocating for diminishing public and private resources by identifying and addressing the common objectives among the groups. The CDAC has been meeting monthly since July 2011. Membership consists of 11 representatives from disability advocacy groups who are dedicated to improving community living for all people with disabilities. The Autism Commission—One Year Later The Autism Commission is over a year into its extensive work, and the Council continues to coordinate and support the Commission and its subcommittees. In 2011 Council staff analyzed extensive data on autism needs and services. This analysis supported the development of a first draft of problem statements, goals, recommendations and action steps that will eventually become the Autism Commission’s final report in 2012. Staff Contributions Key to Success In September 2010, Massachusetts was awarded a 3-year federal grant to develop a statewide lifespan respite pro- gram, the Massachusetts Lifespan Respite Coalition. The Council, through the work of its staff, joined approximately 90 individuals and caregivers to form the new coalition. During its first year the coalition laid the groundwork for the respite program. The Council participated in planning the coalition-sponsored statewide Family Caregiver Recogni- tion event at the State House in November 2011. Mem- bers created a mission statement to promote and support access to quality respite care options that enhance the lives of individuals and families with special needs through- out their lifespan. Newsletter Launched in 2011 Visit our website www.mass.gov/mddc or Facebook page to read our newsletter for news and updates on the Council. 1415,04253,9728,959935,000People Impacted By Council InitiativesEmploymentEducation/Early InterventionSelf Advocacy/ LeadershipCommunity SupportsPublic Policy/Education Pursuing Success: The Next Five Years Please visit our website, www.mass.gov/mddc for more information! Page 3 of 4 The 2012-2016 State Plan Every five years the Council submits a five-year State Plan to the US Administration on Developmental Disabilities. The plan includes targeted goals and objectives to address the most significant issues affecting people with developmental disabilities and their families. The 2012-2016 Goals and Objectives are below with the entire plan available at www.mass.gov/mddc. Goal 1: Youth with developmental disabilities will develop the prerequisite skills and receive the supports they need to live productive lives as adults. Objective 1.1: 500 youth with developmental disabilities will graduate from the Self-Advocacy Leadership Series for Youth in Transition by 9/30/16. Objective 1.2: A transition specialist licensure program will be established by 12/31/14. Objective 1.3: The Chapter 766 Individual Education Plan process will be integrated with the Chapter 688 Individual Service Plan process through the Bridges to Success and Passages to Independence initiatives by 12/31/14. Objective 1.4: Short-term measurable objectives will be a requirement for all Individual Education Plans by 12/31/14. Objective 1.5: Students attending college in the Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment program will increase 20% above 2011 by 9/30/16. Goal 2: People with developmental disabilities will be actively engaged in leadership and systems advocacy. Objective 2.1: 100 people with disabilities will become effective new leaders in disability advocacy by 9/30/16. Objective 2.2: 350 adults with developmental disabilities will graduate from the Self-Advocacy Leadership Series for Adults by 9/30/16. Objective 2.3: 400 people with developmental disabilities will become new advocates in disability advocacy by 9/30/16. Goal 3: People with developmental disabilities will have opportunities to work in meaningful jobs that meet their career expectations. Objective 3.1: People with developmental disabilities acquiring and maintaining jobs in integrated work settings will increase by 25% above 2011 by 9/30/16. Objective 3.2: 100 individuals with developmental disabilities will establish portfolios for competitive employment by 9/30/16. Objective 3.3: People living with autism and other developmental disabilities receiving employment supports will increase 50% above 2011 by 9/30/16. Goal 4: Families will have the supports they need to ensure fulfilling lives in the community for them and their children with developmental disabilities. Objective 4.1: The number of families accessing individualized community support services will increase 50% above 2011 by 9/30/16. Objective 4.2: The number of families of persons with developmental disabilities accessing needed respite services will increase 20% above 2011 by 9/30/16. Objective 4.3: The availability of inclusive after-school activities for children with developmental disabilities will increase by 25% above 2011 by 9/30/16. Goal 5: People with developmental disabilities will have more long term housing options for living independently in the community. Objective 5.1: The number of people with developmental disabilities utilizing alternative housing options will increase 10% above 2011 by 9/30/16. Objective 5.2: Supported housing available to people with developmental disabilities will be expanded by 25% above 2011 by 9/30/16. Objective 5.3: 300 people with developmental disabilities will move from institutional settings to community living by 6/30/15. Goal 6: People with developmental disabilities will have the quality of services and supports they need to ensure fulfilling lives in the community. Objective 6.1: The number of community based service programs effectively using Positive Behavioral Supports to serve people with developmental disabilities will increase by 20% above 2011 by 9/30/16. Objective 6.2: The pay rates for human services workers will increase by 15% above 2011 by 9/30/16. Objective 6.3: The number of individuals living with autism receiving comprehensive community services and supports will increase by 50% above 2011 by 9/30/16. Objective 6.4: The number of individuals living with developmental disabilities with a secondary mental health diagnosis receiving quality mental health services will increase by 20% above 2011 by 9/30/16. Objective 6.5: Increase the capacity for independent monitoring of the safety of people with developmental disabilities. GOAL 7: Individuals with developmental disabilities gain choice and control and exercise self-direction of the services and supports they receive. Objective 7.1: The number of people with developmental disabilities who maintain direct control of the use of their service dollars will increase by 25% above 2011 by 9/30/16. Note: During the last five-year State Plan period Councils reported performance data using pre-determined measures established by the U.S. Administration for Developmental Disabilities under broad Areas of Emphasis. Beginning in 2012, the next five-year State Plan cy- cle, Councils will provide performance data measuring progress toward meeting each Council’s specific Goals and Objectives. Performance, Accountability, and Transparency Revenue Source of Revenue 2011 Revenue (in $) Federal Funding $1,501,211.14 Commonwealth Non- Financial Match $255,606.70 Sub-Grant Match $720,542.14 Developmental Disabilities Suite National Collaboration $157,896.97 Total Revenue $2,635,256.95 Expenses A Model of Transparency: The Council’s 2008, 2009, and 2010 reports were recognized with a Certificate of Excellence in Citizen-Centric Reporting by the Association of Government Accountants for advancing government accountability. By Functional Area 2011 Expense (in $) State Plan Implementation $2,095,889.48 Council Administration $381,470.50 Developmental Disabilities Suite National Collaboration $157,896.97 Total Expenses $2,635,256.95 Independent Audit The Council participated in the independent audit, receiving a clean opinion. Complete financial information is available at www.mass.gov/osc. By Major Activity Area 2011 Expense (in $) Self Advocacy $457,209.76 Citizen Empowerment $167,230.68 Leadership Training $92,317.91 Legislative Education $89,958.62 Public Policy $1,056,029.64 State Developmental Disabilities Network Collaboration $233,142.87 Council Administration $381,470.50 Developmental Disabilities Suite National Collaboration $157,896.97 Total Expenses $2,635,256.95 By Mission Area 2011 Expense (in $) Advocacy $1,285,462.04 Capacity Building $88,843.95 Systems Change $721,583.49 Council Administration $381,470.50 Developmental Disabilities Suite National Collaboration $157,896.97 Total Expenses $2,635,256.95 The financial mission of the Council is to maximize the use of our federal awards, while leveraging additional resources from the Commonwealth and our grantees, and through other col- laborations and partnerships, to meet our five-year State Plan goals and objectives. Please visit our website, www.mass.gov/mddc for more information! By Area of Emphasis 2011 Expense (in $) Education and Early Intervention $284,015.47 Employment $77,606.23 Self Advocacy and Leadership $805,856.45 Community Supports $428,192.22 Educating Policymakers/Public Awareness $437,891.26 Housing $62,327.85 Council Administration $381,470.50 Developmental Disabilities Suite National Collaboration $157,896.97 Total Expenses $2,635,256.95 About this Report Each year the Council submits a Program Performance Report to the U.S. Administration on Developmental Disabilities detailing the advocacy, capacity building and systemic change activities that the Council has undertaken in an effort to meet its State Plan goals and objectives. Copies of the full State Plan and Program Performance Report are available at www.mass.gov/mddc. Alternative formats of this report are available upon request. We encourage you to give us feedback about this report. Please send all questions and comments to craig.hall@state.ma.us. Page 4 of 4 Note: The Council is funded through a federal formula grant and is author- ized under Subtitle B of Public Law 106-402, the Developmental Disabili- ties Act of 2000, and through state Executive Order #512. Reporting Customer Satisfaction The Council conducts ongoing customer satisfaction surveys and reports the results annually. 98.13% of respondents were satisfied or highly satisfied with the Council’s work in 2011. An analysis of customer satisfaction from 2007—2011 shows the Council maintained an average of 97.5% over the five year State Plan.