Each Tuesday, participating Villagers from the Day Program volunteer at the Volunteers for Animal Protection program. Villagers help by providing social interaction to cats and dogs in the shelter. The Villagers are able to provide positive praise and attention that the animals might normally not receive and help with filling the animals’ food and water bowls.  The Villagers will also be participating in some other projects for VAP.  Villagers will work on fine motor skills by painting wooden signs for each dog’s kennel and create dog toys by putting an empty water bottle in a sock.

 For more information about Volunteers for Animal Protection, please visit http://www.VAPadoptions.org. If you are interested in donating new or gently used items to VAP, please see the wish list by clicking here.

 We are excited to continue with this new partnership with Volunteers for Animal Protection!

Coco, available for adoption brings a smile to Villager, Taryn!

Caitlyn, Chester (dog), Diane and Jorge. Spending quality time with Chester while he waits for his fur-ever home.

By SAFIYA RAVAT

HOUSTON CHRONICLE

March 27, 2011

Copyright © 2011 The Houston Chronicle

Kim Brusatori, Founder and CEO of Village Learning & Achievement Center, is quoted in this article written about the Harris County Families Unite Rally held at Discovery Green in Houston on Saturday, March 26, 2011.

Several hundred people with developmental disabilities, their families and care providers rallied Saturday at Houston’s Discovery Green against proposed cuts to the state budget that they say would take them away from their homes, friends and communities.  (Read the full article…)

With little progress in the effort to avoid “devastating” funding cuts, facility directors and supporters around the Greater Houston area are uniting for the Harris County Families Unite Rally March 26 at Discovery Green in downtown Houston from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. (Read the full article…)

During my sophomore year of college I was introduced to two things I previously had little experience with: gardening and working with people with developmental disabilities.

(Read the full editorial…)

Monday, February 21, 2011

Copyright © 2011 – yourkingwoodnews.com – powered by The Kingwood Observer

For Dixie Frantz, the proposed budget cuts to services for those with developmental disabilities is a personal matter.

Her middle child, Melanie, was born with cerebral palsy 26 years ago. Mimi, as she is affectionately called, can’t read or write, walk, or brush her teeth or hair. She has a vocabulary of 252 words.

“I know this because I have counted them all,” Frantz said. “She speaks in one- and two-word phrases. She cannot be left home alone, ever.”

As Texas legislators continue the push to balance the budget in Austin, parents like Frantz and supporters are fighting to protect funding for some of the state’s most vulnerable citizens.

Fifty local residents rode a motor coach to the capital Feb. 16 in an effort to join the ongoing efforts to maintain funding for individuals with developmental disabilities.

(Read the full article…)

Click here to read the presentation made by DARS on March 15, 2011 to the Texas Senate Finance Article II Subcommittee (formerly the Senate Medicaid Subcommittee).

Click here to read the latest information regarding budget cuts being proposed for consideration by the 82^nd Texas Legislature.

Click here to view the PowerPoint presentation from the Village Town Hall Meeting held on March 10, 2011.

Click here to view a list of all of the members of the Texas State Senate of the 82nd Legislature.

Click here to view a list of all of the members of the Texas House of Representatives of the 82nd Legislature.

Click here to view suggestions regarding information to include in letters or emails to legislators about the proposed budget cuts to Texas Medicaid Waiver Programs.

Click here to view suggestions regarding information to share when calling legislators about the proposed budget cuts to Texas Medicaid Waiver Programs.

Click here to read an overview of the proposed budget cuts, compiled by the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities.

Click here to determine the names and contact information for the legislators who represent your district.

Click here to view information about advocacy tips and tools from the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities.

On Wednesday, February 16, 2011, a group of approximately 50 individuals — comprised of parents, guardians, program participants, staff and supporters of Village Learning & Achievement Center — traveled to Austin to attend a public hearing of the Texas House of Representatives Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee to present testimony regarding Article II of HB1 (House Proposed Budget).  Significant and far-reaching budget cuts are being proposed to Texas Health & Human Services Commission (HHSC) funding for Texas Medicaid Waiver Programs, such as Home & Community-based Services (HCS).  Kim Brusatori, Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Village Learning & Achievement Center was one of almost 200 people registered to provide testimony at the public hearing that started at 7:00 a.m., adjourned at 10:30 a.m., and continued from 10:55 a.m. until 8:05 p.m.  Many individuals in attendance submitted written testimony.  (To enlarge a photo, simply double click.)

Click here to go to a webpage containing information and links about Capitol Days and other events scheduled during the current session of the 82nd Texas Legislature.

Click here to view a message from Coalition of Texans with Disabilities – “Time to Take Action — Help Stop Budget Cuts Proposed for Health and Human Services.”

Click here to read the written testimony submitted by Kim Brusatori, Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Village Learning & Achievement Center, before the Texas State House of Representatives Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee on February 16, 2011 regarding Article II of HB1 (House proposed budget).

Click here to view a list of  the names and contact information for the six members of the Subcommittee of the Texas State House of Representatives Appropriations Committee regarding Article II of HB1 that heard testimony at the public hearing held on February 16, 2011 in Austin.

Click here to go to a webpage with links to the Texas House of Representatives video archives of public hearings of the Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee on Article II of HB1  (Select 2/16/11, 10:30 a.m. – 8:05 p.m. — Kim Brusatori, Founder/CEO, provided testimony; scroll to 6:57:00 – 7:02:36.)

Click here to read the written testimony submitted by Dixie Frantz, parent of a Villager, before the Texas State House of Representatives Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee on February 16, 2011 regarding Article II of HB1 (House proposed budget).

Click here to go to a webpage with links to the Texas House of Representatives Live Broadcasts

Click here to go to a webpage with links to the Texas Senate Live Broadcasts

Click here to go to a webpage with links to the Texas House of Representatives video archives of House Committee hearings

Click here to go to a webpage with links to the Texas Senate video archives of Senate Chamber proceedings and Senate Committee hearings

Click here to go to a webpage with links to the Texas Senate video archives of public hearings of the Senate Finance Committee  (Select 2/2/11, Part II — Kristy Conrad, CFO, provided testimony.)

Click here to go to a webpage with links to the Texas Senate video archives of public hearings of the Subcommittee on Medicaid of the Senate Finance Committee

Click here to sign a petition sponsored by the Invest in Community! Campaign, a coalition of organizations, families, and advocates concerned about the impact of proposed Texas budget cuts to community-based services for seniors and persons with disabilities.

Click here to read an essay written by Clay Boatright, President of The ARC of Texas.

Click here to view a letter from the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) about  a hearing held on Friday, January 7, 2011 regarding proposed HCS rate reductions.

Click here to view the briefing package from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) about proposed reductions in Medicaid payment rates for HCS.

Click here to view tables for current and proposed HCS payment rates.

Click here to view a print friendly version our January 2011 Legislative Update Flyer.

Reprinted with permission from Dixie Frantz.

Mimi

I am here today as a parent of a disabled child from Kingwood, Texas.  It is my hope to put a face on just one of the most vulnerable in our society who cannot speak for herself in hopes that you will reconsider budget cuts being proposed to Texas Health & Human Services Commission funding for Texas Medicaid Waiver Programs, such as Home & Community-based Services (HCS).

Our middle child, Melanie, was born with cerebral palsy 26 years ago.  We don’t know why, she just was. My husband of 38 years and I also have two other children, both productive, taxpaying members of society.  Katie has a master’s degree and works in the education field, and Ricky was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the Air Force right before Christmas.

And then there is our little angel, Melanie (we call her “Mimi”).  A photograph is attached to my testimony since it would have been a great hardship to bring her here today.  Here is a list of things she cannot do:  she cannot read or write, walk, brush her teeth or hair, or bathe herself.  She has a vocabulary of 252 words.  I know this because I have counted them all.  She speaks in one and two word phrases.  She cannot be left home alone EVER.  Mentally, she is about 4 years old.  That means lots of Sponge Bob Square Pants and Wheel of Fortune.  Oh, and she is not toilet trained.  Yes, I’ve been changing diapers for 26 years and that is very difficult for me to say here.  She has been on the HCS waiting list for 6-1/2 very long years.

However, in spite of these difficulties, Mimi is a positive force in her community.  She gives the best hugs.  She loves people and going to the movies, church every Sunday, out to eat, and the mall.  She loves her family and we adore her.  Oh, and she loves going to what she calls the “Center.”  Every morning when I get her ready for the day, I ask her, “Mimi what do you want to do today?”  Her reply is always the same, she says, “Center” … even on the weekends.

The Village Learning Center is a wonderful day center in our community that gives Mimi a place to thrive, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Her favorite day of the week is Tuesday when her class goes bowling.  At the center, she also loves going to the movies, exercise and dancing at a local dance studio, participating in cooking class, arts & crafts, bingo, music therapy, learning new skills and so much more.  The Village Learning Center allows a safe and accepting place to belong in her own community.

The center also gives me a chance to be normal: I can hold a part time job, go to the grocery store, workout at the Y, go to doctor’s appointments, and volunteer at our church on Wednesday, which is where I make prayer quilts for the sick and dying in our parish.  With Mimi I cannot do these things.

Our most vulnerable Texas citizens deserve to live in their own homes and communities aided by programs that are already in place, such as the Village Learning Center, but are in jeopardy of being slashed, burned and closed down because of possible state budget cuts.  Studies show that the disabled living in their own communities, with supports, are happier, healthier, and safer.  By far, they are also less of a cost burden than the State School model.  I pray that you consider the welfare of disabled adults like Mimi by saving our “Center” and accelerate funding for those on the HCS waiting list.

Thank you for your time.

Dixie Frantz

Click here to view City of Houston Council Member Mike Sullivan’s December 2010 newsletter in its entirety.

Kimberly Brusatori saw a need for something that was lacking in the community. Her passion to provide a place for her son, Kyle, and other adults with disabilities became her catalyst, and the Village Learning & Achievement Center is the successful result of her endeavors.  Read more…

The facts are sobering. Texas ranks 50th in the nation for services for individuals with disabilities, the longest waiting lists for services, the largest number of state institutions, with records of horrific abuse and neglect. The personal, heart-wrenching stories of the challenges adults with developmental disabilities have faced through the years in Texas stand testament to the vital need of better options. Enter Village Learning & Achievement Center.  [Read more of this article]