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Tim Hornbecker,
Director of Advocacy
How do we expect equity of services without building relationships. How do you build communication and trust with individuals with I/DD of color and their families?
I heard good responses at our Public Policy Conference from the panel on A Path Forward on Racial Disparities. Both Rapone Anderson of DDS and Carlos Hernandez of Valley Mountain Regional Center hit the nail on the head when emphasizing that you need to build trust. But how do you build trust when you only meet with families once a year for an IPP? Oh, and how can it happen when regional centers are unable to fill service coordinator vacancies (some regional centers have as many as 17 unfilled positions)?
Not only are service providers unable to find direct support professionals because of the abysmal reimbursement rates versus mandated and unfunded minimum wage increases in larger cities, but regional centers face the same challenge.
We’ll never make headway against racial disparity in services. Both regional centers and service providers should be really annoyed with the Governor, Legislators, and their inadequate funding. But the other panelists also hit the nail on the head.
Grace Huerta, parent of two adults with I/DD and President of Exceptional Family Center, said the numbers are unacceptable. Latino clients receiving only half of what Anglo clients receive in some situations. Genesis Executive Director emphasized thats it time for individuals with disabilities and their families to organize and exert their three “P”s: Power, Patience while rightfully being Pissed Off.
Tim Hornbecker, [email protected]