OLMSTEAD UPDATES

News blog follows implementation of landmark 2014 federal consent decree that requires Rhode Island to remedy violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the U.S. Supreme Court's Olmstead decision. Over ten years, Rhode Island must reinvent state services for citizens with developmental disabilities to give them opportunities for supportive employment and meaningful activities in their communities.

By Gina Macris

The Rhode Island Senate Finance Committee will hold a hearing Wednesday, June 30, and is expected to vote on the $13.1 billion state budget for the next fiscal year – including language which sets aside $39.7 million for raises for caregivers of adults with developmental disabilities and their supervisors.

The new fiscal year begins just hours after the expected vote, on Thursday, July 1. The full Senate could act as early as July 1, sending the state’s annual revenue and spending plan to Governor Dan McKee for his signature. Historically, there has been little change to the budget once it clears the House and goes to the Senate.

The public may submit written testimony to the Senate Finance Committee prior to 2 p.m. Wednesday, the starting time for the public hearing. Email the testimony to jplume@rilegislature.gov

the meeting will be will be streamed live online through Capitol TV.

The raises for entry-level workers, from $13.18 to an estimated $15.75 per hour, take effect July 1, but it’s not clear when direct care staff will see them in their paychecks. Supervisory rates are expected to increase from $18.41 to $21.99 an hour.

Tina Spears, executive director of the Community Provider Network of Rhode Island, said earlier this week, “We are working hard to ensure the system is ready on July 1 so we can get the raises out the door in July.”

BHDDH has not yet responded to a query about the timeline in incorporating the higher rates in reimbursements to the service providers.

On July 1 from 3 to 5 p.m., Richard Charest, the new director of the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals, (BHDDH) will participate in a virtual quarterly forum of the Division of Developmental Disabilities.

Charest, former President and CEO at the Landmark Medical Center and more recently, a consultant to the troubled Eleanor Slater Hospital, is the fourth BHDDH director in the last six years.

Advocates in Action will host the online forum on behalf of the Division of Developmental Disabilities. To pre-register, go to : https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/8416222159110/WN_0bzY-PPUSLOwu_ad3Ldhzw