MAY/JUN
2022
Garden Center Services
The View From My Chair A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Jimmy & Gerry
INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE VIEW FROM MY CHAIR Page 1 ONLINE COUNSELING Page 2 SECOND CHANCE UPDATE Page 3 NATL. NURSES WEEK Page 4
The Illinois legislature concluded their budget session early this year and I am personally heartened by what I see as a continued authentic effort to improve our state’s financial commitment for services to individuals with intellectual and/ or developmental disabilities. While our advocacy efforts did not gain additional monies above the Governors introduced budget, there is still significant investment the states service delivery system.
There is a real benefit to having the long view derived from my almost forty-five years of working within the Illinois system. For many years we have been inadequately funded and Dance. Smile. Giggle. Marvel. TRUST. HOPE. LOVE.WISH.BELIEVE. Most of all, enjoy every moment of the journey, and appreciate where you are at this moment instead of always focusing on how far you have to go.
-Mandy Hale not so long ago we were waiting several months or longer to be paid for our services.
The Guidehouse rate study that the state itself had conducted, has been a true bonus. Having a third party independently identify the actual costs we incur to do what we do is incredibly helpful! Here are some highlights to this years budget: • Increase in our rate which will allow us to improve hourly wages for our staff • Increase in the rates’ non-program cost centers such as administrative costs, transportation costs, and the expenses related to room & board • Implementation of a Health Risk Screening Tool that could help adjust residential rates for persons with complex medical needs • An increase in the amount of base nursing hours continued on page 4