BILL ANALYSIS
AB 287
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Date of Hearing: May 13, 2009
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Kevin De Leon, Chair
AB 287 (Beall) - As Amended: April 13, 2009
Policy Committee: Human
ServicesVote:5-2
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill requires Regional Centers (RCs), under the
jurisdiction of the California Department of Developmental
Services (DDS), to use an "Employment First Policy" (Employment
First) defined in the bill for Individual Program Planning (IPP)
for consumers 14 years and older. In addition, this bill
requires the State Council on Developmental Disabilities (State
Council) to convene a standing committee on Employment First and
make annual reports to Legislature on the work of the standing
committee.
FISCAL EFFECT
1)Absorbable workload to RCs to integrate the Employment First
approach in IPP for teen and adult consumers. Absorbable
workload to the State Council to convene the standing
committee and provide legislative feedback.
2)Unknown, potentially significant savings to the extent this
bill reduces RC service needs for consumers who are able to
successfully transition to employment. RC services for
consumers addressed by this bill range from approximately
$5,000 (66% GF) per year to $25,000 (66% GF) a year. These
costs will be reduced and GF economic activity will result to
the extent consumers move from a service environment to a
working environment.
COMMENTS
1)Rationale . This bill is co-sponsored by the State Council,
Disability Rights California, and the Association of Regional
AB 287
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Center Agencies. This bill increases stakeholders' focus on
the importance of employment in planning activities for RC
consumers. This bill expands on work started pursuant to SB
1270 (Chesbro), Chapter 397, Statutes of 2006. In May of 2007
SB 1270 recommendations for improvements to the transition
services planning process for students and recommended
policies were published. This bill follows-up on some of those
recommendations and is supported by a broad array of consumer
advocacy and provider groups.
2)Developmental Services . The DDS contracts with 21 private
non-profit RCs to provide services that meet the needs of
200,000 individuals with developmental disabilities. The
state's five DCs (Agnews, Fairview, Lanterman, Porterville,
and Sonoma) and two smaller, leased facilities (Sierra Vista
and Canyon Springs) provide 24-hour care to about 3,600
individuals with developmental disabilities. The DCs, with
8,600 state staff provide a full range of care, including
medical and recreational services. Agnews, in the Bay Area, is
in the process of moving all residents into the community or
to other inpatient settings as an effort to comply with the
Olmstead Act.
3)Special Education and Employment Services . Under the federal
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, every special
education student is entitled to an IEP, which is reviewed
periodically between school district officials and a student's
parents. This bill will increase the participation of both the
RCs and schools in IEPs for DDS consumers.
DDS consumers work in a variety of settings. Those requiring
supported employment settings may participate in the
Habilitation Services Program which consists of the Work
Activity Program (WEP) and Supported Employment Program
(SEP). The WEP services are reimbursed at a daily per capita
rate and provide a sheltered work environment. Consumers
participating in SEP work in the community with support
services provided by community rehabilitation programs.
Analysis Prepared by : Mary Ader / APPR. / (916) 319-2081