The Public Policy Department advocates for policies and programs that create opportunities for people with disabilities to be integrated in the social and economic mainstream. Priorities include increasing access to affordable health care and expanding home and community-based options, including consumer-directed services. The Department will lobby for additional public policies, such as education and housing, which empower people with disabilities to live productive lives and participate in community activity.
The priorities are categorized into three levels of activity: 1) Leadership Role; 2) Actively Support and 3) Support. The three levels of support are described below. As the legislative session progresses, certain items could move between categories depending on what issues arise.
Issues on which Paraquad takes a Leadership Role will get the highest possible attention from Paraquad staff. Where appropriate and feasible, Paraquad will:
Issues which Paraquad Actively Supports are those which are priorities for Paraquad but are not expected to use a high level of resources. Where appropriate and feasible, Paraquad will:
For issues in the Support category, Paraquad will serve as the bridge between our advocacy network and other organizations/coalitions that are taking the lead. Resources dedicated to these issues will be minimal. Where appropriate and feasible, Paraquad will:
Paraquad’s priority is to assure that people with disabilities have access to the health care and in-home services necessary to work and live independently. Paraquad will advocate for access to affordable health care, attendant services and assistive technology for low-income people with disabilities, workers (past and current) with disabilities, families of children with disabilities and seniors.
Increase the fund or appropriate additional General Revenue for Centers for Independent Living in order to bring Missouri CILs to the national average. Increase core funding by $565,000 over the next year in order to bring Missouri CILs toward the national funding average. This is the second year in a three year funding plan to bring Missouri CILs up to the national funding average.
Increase access to accessible, affordable housing.
ACT is an evidenced-based model that has been successful in helping persons with mental illness live in the community while reducing hospitalization and inappropriate incarceration. Individuals in more restrictive settings most likely have chronic, ongoing, or intermittent treatment needs. ACT provides highly individualized, long-term services that are available when the individual needs them – on weekends and evenings, as well as days. Additionally, helping individuals find safe, affordable housing, as well as employment, are priorities for ACT programs.
Support the bill which will authorize a tax credit for a business employing a disabled worker against a company's corporate income tax.
Support expansion of the IL waiver. This expansion would give the people who need a higher number of personal attendant hours access to such services.
Oppose TABOR or other legislation which would impose a spending limit on all appropriations and only allow for growth based on a population-growth-plus-inflation formula. The TABOR formula would not be adequate to allow the state to maintain year after year the same level of programs and services, thus causing cuts in the state budget.
Support funding to eliminate the waiting list for MRDD home and community-based services. Currently there are over 3,500 people on the waiting list. Home and community-based services are essential to preventing unnecessary institutionalization.
Support taking the Mental Retardation (MR) out of the Department of MRDD name. This name change supports language which is more accepted by the developmentally disabled population.
Advocate for full funding necessary for local school districts to provide quality education and accommodations for students with disabilities in the most integrated setting.