Budget “Trigger” Cuts Pulled
No New Cuts to HCAR Now, But Future Uncertain
Governor Brown and Director of Finance, Ana Matosantos, announced on December 13th that California will fall $2.2 billion short of the optimistic revenue forecast used to "balance" the budget. As a result, both the first and second tier trigger cuts are now in effect, including the $100 million cut to DDS.
DDS has confirmed that all of the required additional savings for this fiscal year will be taken using existing legal authority. This includes savings from caseload reductions, additional federal funds, savings from unexpended contracts and savings beyond what was expected from previous cuts (that means that previous DDS cuts to providers were harsher than required to meet the savings goals—which service providers have been saying since they were implemented!). Additional cuts to service providers like HCAR would require legislative action and are not expected at this time.
The imposition of the trigger cuts also requires that those cuts be ongoing. It is not clear how DDS will meet this requirement for the 2012-13 fiscal year. Even with continuations of the existing rate cuts, tens of millions of dollars in additional cuts somewhere in the system will be needed to reach the required savings. DDS has announced that they will once again be holding “stakeholder” meetings to discuss how the cuts should be implemented.
The other major cut potentially impacting HCAR clients is the 20% across-the-board cut to IHSS (In-home Supportive Services) hours. This was scheduled to take effect with the other trigger cuts on January 1, but has been delayed due to a temporary restraining order filed by Disability Rights California. A decision is expected on the case by late January.
July Barbecue at Bay Center
Everyone from Sequoia Center joined their sister program at Bay Center and had a great time. Each center made a healthy salad to share with the other with watermelons donated by the Eureka Co-op for dessert. Nate from Bay Center barbequed the hamburgers, hot dogs and veggie burgers for everyone—about 100 people!
After enjoying all the food everyone was dancing in the parking lot.
We all had a wonderful time. People had an opportunity to see old friends and make some new ones.
Studio and Individual Artists Recognized
The Studio was selected to be a part of a Best Practices conference for agencies supporting artists with disabilities. We were one of only 30 programs in the entire world (there are hundreds) to have been chosen. The conference took place in San Francisco in September.
We were also selected by Art Enables, a program for emerging artists in Washington D.C., to be included in a show designed to showcase ‘some of the great programs for artists with disabilities across the country who are producing really lively and interesting outsider and contemporary folk art.’ We mailed them a piece by Soodie Whitaker that best represented The Studio. The show took place at the Off Rhode Studio during October.
Studio artist Betty Kuhnel was commissioned by the restaurant Luke’s Joint in Arcata to create artwork based on their menu. Many pieces are now on display in the restaurant. Betty also has a permanent display of thirty of her paintings in a boutique called Peoria Emporium in New York City.
Pablo Rahner showed several of his paintings with Sergio Paniagua, an artist at Arts and Services for the Disabled, Inc. located in Los Angeles, California in a show titled, ‘Big Big Mind: California Brothers’ at the George V. Deneff Gallery in Long Beach. Two of the paintings were done collaboratively through the mail.
You can always keep up with The Studio's news and happenings at www.thestudioonline.org. From there, you will also find links to our Facebook page, our Twitter feed and our Youtube channel. Come join us!
Over thirty artists from The Studio entered work in this year's Humboldt County Fair. All work was entered in the Advanced Amateur/Professional Division, and several artists won awards.
Deanna Huse, Dustin Card, Pablo Rahner and Soodie Whitaker received Visionary Folk Art Awards from the Sackcloth Gallery. Jaimal Kordes won a Third Place and a Special Award in Ceramics. Ken Waldvogel received a Third Place award for his painting. Trixie Galletti won a First Place for her ceramic sculpture. Soodie Whitaker won a Best in Show and a First Place award for his painting.
In addition, Cicely Ames, Pablo Rahner and Christine Bietz were selected to participate in the Juried Show.
Congratulations to everyone who entered!
Admin. Construction Nearing Completion
The remodeling of the Administration building at 1707 E Street in Eureka is nearly complete. Funded by a CDBG grant from the City of Eureka, the remodel addresses accessibility issues related to the age of the building and provides some additional improvements. The most visible parts of the project are the new parking lot for our busses (no more parking in the mud!) and the new ramp to the building at the front entrance. Other improvements were made to the sidewalks and to the vacant office space that will house the new mobility management program.
Unfortunately, some parts of the project had to be put on hold in order to stay within our budget. The wheelchair lift to the second floor offices & apartments and floor coverings for the new office space are both in need of a benefactor to become a reality.
Could you be that benefactor? Donate to HCAR today!
Studio Artist Wins Local Poster Contest
Personal Attendant ServicesAfter years of negotiations, HCAR’s Personal Attendant Services is now a reality. Until now, people needing assistance with daily living skills might have received Respite, Supported Living or Ongoing Support (Independent Living Skills) services. The reduction in allowable respite hours impacted some of these people and for others the training component of supported living isn’t really needed. This new service, under the direction of Michelle Mirabal (our Respite Services director), will allow for more effective use of limited hours in other services while providing people with the assistance they need to stay at home.
Volunteers Needed at The Studio
The Cheri Blackerby Gallery and gift shop is now accepting applications for volunteer gallery assistants.
Open hours are M-F from 10 to 2. We have many shifts and days available.
Call Janine @ 443-1472 for information.
HCAR Seeking Board Members
We are currently seeking community members to serve on our Board of Directors. Board terms are three years. We are very interested in professionals, business people and parents of people with developmental disabilities who want to help us fulfill our mission. Contact Ross at 443-7077 or email hcar@hcar.us for more info.
Leave A Legacy
Make a donation, set up a charitable remainder trust or become a member!
Your contributions help HCAR continue to provide the kinds of services you’ve read about in this newsletter.
We can’t do it without you!
HCAR is pleased to acknowledge the following people and businesses that have donated $250 or more in the past year:
John and Josephine Brown, Vivian Deniston, Anita Fullbright, Kenneth Kimari, Elena Patterson, Terry & Francine Patterson, TWarren White Insurance, Helena Williams, Woolford Trust