New Report On Shocking Trend of NonCitizen Detainee Transfers

http://restorefairness.org/2009/12/new-reports-from-human-rights-watch-and-trac-shed-light-on-the-shocking-trend-of-detainee-transfers/

Thousands of people are detained and denied due process every day in the United State.

New reports from Human Rights Watch and TRAC shed light on the shocking trend of detainee transfers

In recent years, a sharp rise in the number of non-citizens held in immigration detention has been accompanied by their increased transfer between facilities, creating barriers they face in accessing counsel and receiving fair treatment in immigration proceedings. These are the findings by TRAC (Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse) and Human Rights Watch from data obtained by the Freedom of Information Act to be released today.

The number of individuals held in custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in 2009 is now estimated to have reached 369,483 detainees, more than twice the amount in 1999. As a result of this overcrowding, the past decade has witnessed an escalated increase in the “free-wheeling” transfers of detainees, often to less-crowded centers in remote areas, taking detainees miles away from their families and attorneys.

Based on data obtained from various sources by TRAC and 3.4 million records obtained by Human Rights Watch from ICE, TRAC has found:

An increasing proportion of all detainees are being transferred. In 1999, one out of every five (19.6%) detainees was moved from one detention facility to another. Compare that to the first six months of 2008 (the latest data available), where more than half of all detainees (52.4%) were transferred.

-There has been a vast growth in multiple transfers of individuals from one detention facility to another, where one starts at one detention facility, is transferred to a second, and then a third (and sometimes again and again). Ten years ago only one out of 20 detainees experienced multiple transfers (5.6%). But in 2008, that increased to one out of every four detainees (24%).

-The number of times that detainees are transferred now actually exceeds the total number of individual detainees. This surprising tipping point – more transfers than detainees – was reached for the first time during the first six months of 2008.

Similarly, Human Rights Watch reports that an astounding 1.4 million detainee transfers have occurred between 1999 and 2008. Most transfers are costly and chaotic, usually occurring without prior notice to family members of detainees. During these transfers, detainees are often taken miles away from their families and lawyers, breaking contact between them and their lawyers and delaying their proceedings. Immigration attorneys say that due to the transfers, they are constantly “losing their clients.” Besides the costs of these delays, ICE has spent more than 10 million dollars to transfer nearly 19,400 detainees in 2007 alone.

Speaking about their new report, “Locked Up Far Away: The Transfer of Immigrants to Remote Detention Centers in the United States”, Human Rights Watch says:

Human Rights Watch found that ICE is increasingly transferring detainees to remote detention centers as a response to overcrowding. Many immigrants are initially detained close to their attorneys and witnesses, in locations such as New York or Los Angeles, but are then transferred to detention centers in rural Texas or Louisiana…The transfers interfere with detainees’ rights to counsel, to defend against deportation, to present witnesses and other evidence, and to be free from arbitrary and prolonged detention.

TRAC has also released 1,393 individual facility-by-facility reports that analyze each detention facility’s transfer records over the last decade, and a free online tool where users can make a focused query about a specific detention facility. All of this is available as of noon today.

http://restorefairness.org/2009/12/new-reports-from-human-rights-watch-and-trac-shed-light-on-the-shocking-trend-of-detainee-transfers/

Death of Secretary of State Elaine Marshall's husband

We at NASW-NC join with all of NC in offerring our sympathy to the Secretary.

The husband of North Carolina's secretary of state has died at age 77 after a battle with cancer. A spokesman for Secretary of State Elaine Marshall said her husband, William Holdford, died early Saturday at his home. Spokesman George Jeter says Holdford was an attorney in Wilson who died while he was surrounded by family. Holdford had battled cancer for more than a year. He was the president of the Narron & Holdford law firm. He is also survived by his two daughters and two grandchildren. The family will receive friends at the Joyner Funeral Home today.(THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, 11/28/09).

Upcoming meeting of House Committee on High Speed Internet Access

House Select Committee on High Speed Internet Access in Rural and Urban Areas

November 23, 2009 10am Room 544 of Legisalture.

You can listen in by going to www.ncleg.net and clicking on Audio section.

Miller Coors Drops Alcohol-Energy Drinks

MillerCoors Agrees to Stop Selling Alcoholic Energy Drinks

A settlement announced this morning between MillerCoors and a group of state attorneys general will spell the end of the brewer's foray into marketing alcoholic energy drinks.

READ MORE:

http://members.jointogether.org/ct/VdvLW551rYie/story

2009 Teen Survey Released

Teenagers who drink on a monthly basis are frequently imbibing in order to get drunk, according to the 2009 Teen Survey released today from The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University.

The study also found that that teens who have seen their parents drunk are much more likely themselves to get drunk, use marijuana or smoke cigarettes, compared to other teens. In addition, many teenagers report that prescription drugs are very easy to obtain for misuse.

READ MORE:

http://members.jointogether.org/ct/Q7vLW551i4KN/survey

Newly Released Voting stats from 2008 for Persons with Disabilities

Information just released from the American Assn. for Persons with Disabilities on the voting by PWD in 2008 elections.

http://www.aapd.com/Communications/2009RecordNumbers.html

NASW-& LOC MH/DD/SAS

NASW-NC is listening/participating in the LOC for MH/DD/SAS today. What do you think? Want to listen? Go to www.ncleg.net/aduio/audio.html and click on the Approprations room 643.

Supervision for licensure in NC

by Jack Register, Director of Advocacy & Legislation

We at NASW-NC get many questions about supervision for those seeking licensure. Even though supervision is a critical part of any social work practice, this posting will focus on supervision for those seeking licensure. NASW-NC will have future posts regarding the larger issues of supervision in practice.

In order to meet the requirements as set by the statute, it is critical to understand the following. In order for someone to supervise a PLCSW for licensure, they must themselves be two (2) years post licenusre and be in good standing with the board.

The period of being a PLCSW is a difficult one for many social workers. The supervisor is the guide through this process. In essence, they are standing in for the licenusre board on a day to day basis. They are responsible for seeing that social work practice meets the definition of clinical practice, that the PLCSW is within the scope of their practice and are serving clients they are clinically prepared to serve. In sum, they are responsible for the practice of a PLCSW. By law, the PLCSW is operating under the licensure of their LCSW supervisor.

The PLCSW and LCSW supervisor meet on a ratio of one hour of supervision to every 30 hours of paid clinical practice. The supervision session is driven and managed by the supervisor. Many times you will be asked to bring case examples, you will be asked to discuss a theoretical technique you are using, you will be asked about ethical conflicts, you will be asked about self care....and so much more. It is imperative that this relationship be one of trust and openness. The LCSW supervisor is responsible for those cases discussed and those that are not.

Another frequent question we are asked at NASW-NC is what if my supervisor is not in my agency? The answer to this is that there is no requirement that a supervisor be in the same agency as the PLCSW they supervise. It is very common for supervisors to be outside the agency.

NASW-NC would strongly recommend a frank and honest dialogue between the PLCSW, the agency administrative supervisor, and the LCSW supervisor. There may need to be a written agreement for how to best serve the PLCSW in supervision. Often. when conflict arise, it is this open dialogue that will allow for the situation to be resolved.

Questions regarding fees for supervision are frequent in our office at NASW-NC. There is no rule of thumb here to go on. In the modern practice environment, there are as many variances in costs of supervision as there supervisors. What we at NASW-NC would recommend to PLCSWs in practice is to look to your agency for some support. Ask if they can subsidize some if not all the cost of supervision. It is common when this happens that the agency create a "give back" clause. This means for every year or "x" amount of dollars spent on supervision the PLCSW would give "y" amount of time back to the agency. This ensures that agencies don't pay for supervision only to lose the clinical social worker upon completion of licensure.

The key to survival, as in all of social work practice is communication. Talk with other PLCSWs about their experiences. Ask questions of your agency. We at NASW-NC have a PLCSW listserv that is a member benefit. Check it out!

Jack is the Director of Advocacy & Legislation for NASW-NC and the Editor of Hull House NC. He is the lobbyist and advocate for the association and represents NASW-NC in statewide advocacy coalitions, to the departments of state government, and is the lobbyist for the legislature. Jack is an LCSW and has practice experience in a wide variety of mental health, medical and addiction settings. He can be reached at the association by email at jack@naswnc.org.

Hull House NC: How do PLCSWs in NC bill for services?

Hull House NC: How do PLCSWs in NC bill for services?

How do PLCSWs in NC bill for services?

by Jack Register, Director of Advocacy & Legislation & Hull House NC Editor

This is a frequent question we get at NASW-NC. I want to spend some time describing the current state of billing for PLCSWs in the state. But before I do I want to preface the comments with this statement.

NASW-NC is reporting this to you. We don't agree with the current state of affairs in NC. We don't support the state's position that PLCSWs are not "fully licensed." We do not support the current practice of PLCSWs being in the QP or Qualified Professional catagory. In our opinion, and according to the statute, a PLCSW is fully licensed as a PLCSW with all the rights and privileges associated with licensure.

In terms of billing, there are currently two (2) mechanisms. The first is called incident to. " Incident to" is a model where you use an MD's Medicaid number in order to bill. The MD must be employed by or in a contractual relationship with the agency the PLCSW works in. The MD is responsible for practice in so far as Medicaid is concerned. However, they DO NOT replace the clinical supervisor (LCSW) as deemed by the licensure board. So, in some cases, it may seem like the PLCSW has two supervisors. Incident to is a medicalized model of billing that allows several allied professionals to see a client and bill under the physician. It requires medical neccessity to be met as well.

The second model of billing is the H code. The H codes are billed through the LME. There is usually a cost, approxiamtely $.15 according to the last Implementation Update. The LME creates a contract with the agency the PLCSW works in and bills Medicaid for these services. As of now, H codes are slated for elimination from Medciaid in July 2010.

Another key issue regarding billing is what payor sources do PLCSWs qualify to use. The answer is there are two (2). Private payment for services and Medicaid. A PLCSW cannot direct enroll, cannot apply for panel membership with any third party payor at this time.


Jack is the Director of Advocacy & Legislation for NASW-NC and the Editor of Hull House NC. He is the lobbyist and advocate for the association and represents NASW-NC in statewide advocacy coalitions, to the departments of state government, and is the lobbyist for the legislature. Jack is an LCSW and has practice experience in a wide variety of mental health, medical and addiction settings. He can be reached at the association by email at jack@naswnc.org.

NASW-NC & Urban Growth

NASW-NC listening to the Urban Growth and Infrastructure Issues with NC General Assembly: Tell us what you think! Wht is this important to social workers?

New Face of NC Legislature & Social Work Practice

by Jack Register, Director of Advocacy & Legislation NASW-NC & Hull House NC Editor

The NC Legislature has transformed in recent weeks. From the scandals and resignations to the simple decisions of lawmakers to move on in their lives to new adventures. The face of NC politics is changing. I for one am glad to see it and be a part of it.

I believe now is the perfect time for all North Carolinians who care about their state, the citizens of the state, heck, even their own lives to become involved. NC faces the distinction of being one of the best places in the country to do business and yet one that struggles to care for its citizens who are sick, disabled, or poor.

So, what is an advocate to do? Well, getting involved is always a good place to begin. I for one am proud to be a social worker and live in NC. I am proud to be an advocate and member of the lobbying community who is a recognized member of the crowd of folk who wade into the morass of politics and try to make policy change.

What motivates me on a daily basis is the notion that something I do or say today to a member of the legislature, a staffer in state government, or to a colleague will shift their perception of what it means to need care. Polyanna I know, but it is what motivates me and I go with it.

Frequently when I speak to community groups of social workers I will ask them to remember what brought them to the profession. I ask them to remember what the experience was that said to them that they need to become a social worker. For many people it is an experience in their family of origin where they had the help of a social worker, for some it is a calling from their faith to give their lives to service, for some it is a duty based and grounded in a frame of social justice. For me, it is all of the above.

So as we continue to hear about our elected leaders leaving and the face of NC politics changes remember what brought you to social work. Remember why it is you go to work on a daily basis. Ask yourself what can I do or say today that may shift someone's perception. Then do it!

Simple advocacy steps to do everyday:

1. Write to some elected official who represents you. Local, state, or national it doesn't matter.
2. Identify yourself as a social worker and become a resource to them for social work practice issues and concerns.
3. Get involved in the social work community. Find a group, organization, like NASW, and get involved. Our work cannot happen without you!

Jack is the Director of Advocacy & Legislation for NASW-NC and the Editor of Hull House NC. He is the lobbyist and advocate for the association and represents NASW-NC in statewide advocacy coalitions, to the departments of state government, and is the lobbyist for the legislature. Jack is an LCSW and has practice experience in a wide variety of mental health, medical and addiction settings. He can be reached at the association by email at jack@naswnc.org.

NASW-NC deletes posts from 10-19 & 10-7

*Editor Note* NASW-NC has removed posts from the above dates due to the non approved posting of the materials from the WRAL news website. Our apologies for this oversight. For information from the Triangle area of NC, go to www.wral.com.

Editor, Hull House NC Policy Blog

Health Reform Matters for People with Mental Disabilities

 

Volume VIII, No. 7 of the Bazelon Center's Mental Health Policy Reporter October 15, 2009 We're on the Road to Health Care Reform House and Senate Ready to Merge Their Committee Bills In this Issue Senate Finance Committee Approves Health Care Reform Bill Time Winding Down for Federal Appropriations House Approves Medicare Premium Fairness Act Newsbytes Education Secretary Proclaims Now is the Time for NCLB Rewrite Pamela Hyde Nominated to Head SAMHSA Genetic Nondiscrimination Act Rules Released Rules Proposed for ADA Amendments Act Rules to Implement Parity Law Delayed Report Documents all Federal Spending on Children National Council on Disability Releases Health Care Report On the national news front, it often seems as if it's health care reform all the time, and now that all five congressional committees have approved bills, as described in this Reporter, the focus may become ever more intense. But there's more happening in the policy arena that's of interest to people with mental disabilities. Time is running down on Senate approval of the fiscal year 2010 federal budget for operations by the key departments of Justice, Health and Human Services, and Education, for some of which the House has granted increases. And the prospect of increased Medicare premiums led the House to approve a bill that will "hold harmless" 11 million seniors and people with disabilities. Newsbytes highlight a schedule for stakeholder meetings on Education Secretary Arne Duncan's desire for "a transformative education law," and two proposed rules -to protect individuals from discrimination based on personal genetic information and to implement the 2008 amendments to the Americans with Disabilities Act. Read the full Reporter at www.bazelon.org/newsroom/reporter/2009/10-15-09reporter.htm Help spread the word by forwarding this message to friends and colleagues. And please support the Bazelon Center's advocacy! You can subscribe at www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/bazelon/signUp.jsp Click here to unsubscribe

Medicaid cuts -- including mental health

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/health_science/story/140354.html

Published Wed, Oct 14, 2009 07:42 AM
Modified Wed, Oct 14, 2009 05:47 AM

Strained Medicaid in for cuts

North Carolina is trying to squeeze savings out of Medicaid, even as
more
people than anticipated sign up for coverage under the government
health-care program for the poor.

So far, the cuts primarily mean that doctors, hospitals and providers
are
being paid less for their services, but state officials and others are
warning that cuts to medical services and significant job losses in
health
care could be looming.

Cuts ordered by the legislature this year mean that Medicaid, which is
funded jointly by federal and state government, will lose $1.5 billion
this
year.

Those cuts have touched nearly all areas of health care. Doctors and
hospitals are being paid less to treat Medicaid patients, and the state
is
spending less on community mental health and personal care services for
the
elderly.

Meanwhile, more people are asking for help. About 8,000 more people than
legislators budgeted for were signed up for the government insurance
program
in August, and September enrollment was 3,000 people higher than
anticipated.

Unless there's a dramatic economic turnaround in the next year, the
budget
pressure could increase, said Lanier Cansler, head of the state
Department
of Health and Human Services, which oversees Medicaid.

The state is expected to get $440 million less next year from the
federal
government to fill Medicaid budget holes, he said, which may mean
legislators will have to consider cutting medical services.

"We're at the point to where we're not going to be able to keep access
in
place if we reduce the budget substantially more," Cansler said Tuesday.

Department administrators also worry that some doctors may decide to
stop
treating Medicaid patients.

"We've got a tremendous challenge this year," Cansler said. "The
challenge
will just be multiple next year."

This year, most of the state's 1.4 million Medicaid recipients -- those
who
use the insurance for routine health care -- won't feel the pinch,
Cansler
said.

But doctors, hospitals and health agencies that care for them will get
less
money to do so, and paid caregivers will be watched more closely as the
state tries to contain costs by making sure patients don't get
treatments
they don't need.

Hospitals, mental health providers and home health agencies anticipate
thousands of job losses as a result of rate reductions and program
constraints.

Mental health to be hit

Mental health providers who call the budget and program cuts "an
avalanche
of destruction" will hold a news conference today to demand the
legislature
call a special session to restore mental health money.

Late Tuesday, Gov. Beverly Perdue announced that DHHS has been told to
find
an additional $15 million to cushion the drop in community mental health
spending. This year's Medicaid cuts in mental health came to $400
million.

Hospitals expect to cut about 400 jobs because of the cut in Medicaid
payments, said Don Dalton, spokesman for the N.C. Hospital Association.
Most
of those losses will be from rural hospitals.

The recession has already forced hospitals to cut staff, Dalton said,
and
lower Medicaid payments only add more pressure.

"These will force administrators and trustees to make hard decisions on
what
services to eliminate in their communities," he said.

The home health care industry expects substantial job losses, with fewer
patients receiving home care and agencies earning less money for them.

Up to one-fifth of the state's 100,000 home health employees could lose
their jobs as a result of state and federal cuts, with the state budget
reductions responsible for about 80 percent of the loss, said Tim
Rogers,
chief executive officer for the Association for Home & Hospice Care of
North
Carolina.

For elderly people who have trouble getting in and out of a bathtub or
using
the bathroom, the state wants to replace home care workers with bathroom
bars and raised toilet seats, Rogers said.

"They're trying to replace caregivers with pieces of equipment," he
said.
"That's not the right thing to do."

Everyone wants Medicaid services to stay the same, Cansler said, but
it's
not possible.

"The system can't stay the same when we're taking the amount of dollars
out
of it the legislature has required us to take out of the system because
of
the budget crisis," he said.

lynn.bonner@newsobserver.com or 919-829-4821

Mom's depression tied to child abuse in some families

CHILD PROTECTION

 

NATION: "Mom's depression tied to child abuse in some families"

By: Staff Writer

According to a study of 5,500 U.S. families investigated by child welfare agencies published Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, a mother's depression may increase the risk that she will act aggressively toward her child, including engaging in name-calling and threats. While the research does not prove that a mother's depression, per se, leads to child abuse, it does suggest that adults with children should be screened by a physician for depression and partner abuse, which also increases the risk of child abuse. The research shows that mothers that developed depression during the course of the study had increased incidents of psychological aggression against their children.

 

Mothers who reported an increase in abuse from their partner were more likely to state that there was also an increase in neglect and physical abuse toward their children. However, there was a reported decrease in psychological aggression towards children by mothers who moved in with a non-violent partner during the study.

 

Reuters News Service, October 5, 2009

For Full Article Click Here

<http://abcnews.go.com/Health/WireStory?id=8757408&page=1>

 

 

Fitzsimon File: The unapologetic Department of Justice

10/08/2009 Fitzsimon File The unapologetic Department of Justice By Chris Fitzsimon A widely respected Raleigh lawyer and former judge was discussing the Alan Gell case recently and his startling comments were a reminder of one of the most troubling aspects of the criminal justice system, the unwillingness of prosecutors to admit they made a mistake, to halt a trial when they discover that they might be trying to convict, even execute the wrong person.   Gell spent nine years behind bars for a murder he did not commit, four of them on death row awaiting his execution. A judge threw out Gell's conviction n 2001 after his lawyers discovered that prosecutors had withheld statements  from 17 witnesses who said they had seen the victim alive after the time that Gell could have killed him.   The News & Observer reported this week that the state agreed to pay Gell $3.9 million to settle a lawsuit he filed against the State Bureau of Investigation. Another N&O story profiled the SBI agent who investigated the case and ignored the eyewitness accounts that cleared Gell of the murder and neglected to tell prosecutors about other evidence that pointed to Gell's innocence. He still works for the SBI.   The prominent Raleigh attorney was considering this week's news and said first that he wasn't so sure Gell was innocent and then defended the lawyers in the Attorney General's office who prosecuted the case, blaming the SBI agent and the state medical examiner for any problems.   The medical examiner later testified that she too had been misled by the prosecutors.  The N&O reports that the SBI agent is unrepentant, refusing in a deposition to even express regret about how he conducted his investigation.   But none of that is the most disturbing part of Alan Gell's wrongful conviction and imprisonment. After lawyers discovered the eyewitness accounts that proved Gell could not have committed the murder and asked a judge to throw out his conviction, the Attorney General's office argued that Gell should still be executed.   They admitted that defense lawyers had been denied evidence that pointed to Gell's innocence, but no matter, kill him anyway.  Good thing the judge didn't listen.  Instead he vacated Gell's conviction, leaving the case in the hands of Attorney General Roy Cooper, who unbelievably decided to try Gell again, but not seek the death penalty.   Jurors heard all the evidence at that second trial and found Gell not guilty after a short deliberation. Some of the jurors told interviewers later that they didn't understand why the state had tried again to convict Gell.   Nobody has explained that decision yet or more importantly, why the state tried to execute him even after admitting that previously hidden evidence indicated that he couldn't have committed the crime. That's a long way past reasonable doubt.   The N&O's reporting also found that the two original prosecutors in the case said in depositions that they still believed Gell was guilty of the murder despite the overwhelming evidence that he was innocent and that a jury confirmed it.   The prosecutors were reprimanded by the State Bar for their conduct in the case, but none it seems to matter to much of the criminal justice establishment.  Maybe they can't let themselves admit that the state was trying to kill an innocent man.    And that's the most disconcerting problem, that it is so hard for them to acknowledge it when they make mistakes.   The criminal justice system is not perfect. No system administered by humans can ever be. But we have a right to expect that folks who for the department named Justice seek it tirelessly, even when it means admitting they are wrong.   Progressive Pulse Blog NC Slips in Health Rankings from 30th to 41st - Adam Searing Stabbed in the Back - Adam Searing Potter Family: We need a public option! - Adam Searing Dell plant closing despite $280m in potential subsidies: We told you so. - Elaine Mejia Top of the morning - Chris Fitzsimon   Daily News   Alcoa responds to Perdue's proposal Charlotte Observer Alcoa Inc. is fighting back against the state of North Carolina in a battle over control of Alcoa's hydroelectric dams on the Yadkin River. Gov. Bev Perdue's administration has argued that federal regulators should not renew Alcoa's long-term license to operate the dams. 'Neighborhood schools' issue tapped anger Raleigh News & Observer Winning candidates in Tuesday's Wake County school board elections achieved their victories by tapping into widespread resentment about the schools and offering up the rallying cry "neighborhood schools." But those who favored current policies staked the election on promoting the unpopular cause of busing for diversity, analysts said Wednesday. Some Dix patients can move to Butner Raleigh News & Observer A judge lifted a yearlong restraining order Wednesday, allowing state mental health officials to move ahead with plans to transfer patients from Raleigh's Dorothea Dix Hospital to a new facility in Butner.Dix will remain open. At least 100 mental patients will be housed in units at the 153-year-old mental hospital for the foreseeable future as the state struggles to cope with a serious shortage of psychiatric hospital beds. N.C. rating on bonds still strong Winston-Salem Journal North Carolina has preserved for now its top-level credit rating -- news that keeps borrowing expenses down and gives Democratic leaders a pat on the back for managing the state's difficult financial picture this year.   The Fitzsimon File is available on your smart phone. Visit www.ncpolicywatch.com for the latest news, commentaries and special features. Join the policy debate at The Progressive Pulse blog.

NC Policy Watch is a project of the North Carolina Justice Center with major support provided by the AJ Fletcher Foundation. © 2007 NC Policy Watch | 224 S. Dawson Street, Raleigh, NC 27601

 

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DHHS to ask that Dix restraining order be lifted

DHHS to ask that Dix restraining order be lifted

Raleigh, N.C. ��� The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will ask a judge Wednesday afternoon to lift a temporary restraining order that prohibits the state from moving patients to the state's newest mental hospital.

Secretary Lanier Cansler said last month that he would like to begin moving 100 patients from Dorothea Dix Hospital in Raleigh to Central Regional Hospital in Butner.

If Superior Court Judge Allen Baddour lifts the order, Cansler said, it would take about 30 to 45 days to begin moving patients. The move would take several months to complete. About 120 patients would remain at Dix.

The $130 million Central Regional Hospital opened last July, yet nearly half the beds remain empty.

Advocacy group Disability Rights North Carolina filed a complaint last September, citing more than a dozen safety concerns and conditions the state failed to meet for the move, as outlined under state law.

Since then, DHHS and Disability Rights have been working together about the concerns.

In August, Vicki Smith, the group's executive director, said she believes the hospital is significantly safer now than when it opened last year.

Once the move is complete, it will save the state an estimated $800,000 a month, Cansler has said.

Eventually, Central Regional will replace both Dorothea Dix and John Umstead Hospital, which is also in Butner.

Dorothea Dix, now a subsidiary campus of Central Regional, will stay open for at least three more years as an overflow unit and to house children and adolescents in need of long-term care.

[Jack Register] this article is from a community psychiatry listserv

Foreclosure Training 9/24, Durham

 

Announcing Surfing the Foreclosure Tsunami: A Training on Foreclosure Prevention and REO Disposition About the Tracks ·         Track One for Housing Counselors ·         Track Two for Governments and Non-Profit Housing Developers   Sept. 24th, 2009 Durham Marriott Registration, $45 Register Here Registration Closes Sept. 18th, 2009 Surfing the Foreclosure Tsunami:   Dear Susan,   You are invited to an important training, focusing on Foreclosure Prevention and REO Disposition, on Sept. 24th, 2009. Please see the agenda below.  Register here. Foreclosure Tsunami: Causes and Contexts   Morning Plenary 9:00 to 9:45 Morning Plenary 9:00 to 9:45 We will look at the forces that led to the foreclosure crisis, and to state policies that protected North Carolina.   Some solutions can be effected with individuals or in neighborhoods. Other reforms will require systemic remedies at the state and federal level.   Track One -  Housing Counselors   Housing counselors can receive general continuing education credit for the Training 10:00 to 11:00 Solution-Focused Counseling The CCCS of Forsyth County will share methods to help counselors and their clients.   11:00 to 12:00 State Tools for Foreclosure Prevention NCHFA - Home Protection Program NCCOB - Home Foreclosure Prevention Project NC Attorney General - New consumer protections 1:30 to 3:00 Federal Tools for Foreclosure Prevention HUD will present guidance for several federal loan modification programs: The Home Affordable Modification Program HUD/FHA/VA Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac 3:00 to 4:00 The Perspectives of Servicers Staff from BB&T, SunTrust, Wells Fargo, and Self-Help will review their loan modification programs and how they work with clients.    Moving Forward: Policy and Practice   Lunch Plenary Time: 12:00 to 1:15 Lunch Plenary 12:00 to 1:15 Allan Mallach is a senior fellow in the Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institution.  Mallach is a national expert on the pathways to revitalize distressed neighborhoods with equity and social inclusion.  He will speak on the neighborhood impacts of the foreclosure crisis, as well as strategies for recovery. Mallach is an advocate, a practitioner, researcher and a planner.   Track Two - Local Government and Non-Profit Developers Guidance and advice for rebuilding communities. 10:00 to 12:00 Neighborhood Stabilization Program I  NSP Update by NCDCA - and - Using CDBG and HOME Funds by HUD - and - NSP Funding from NCHFA, Self-Help & the Initiative 1:30 to 2:00 Research Foreclosure Trends and Buys Community Reinvestment Association of North Carolina 2:00 to 3:00 REO Disposition Programs Lenders will explain their REO disposition programs and how non-profits can work with them. 3:00 to 4:00 Strategies for Redevelopment Homeownership, Rental and Land Banking: Practitioners will discuss different models for redevelopment. CRA-NC P.O. Box 1929 Durham, NC 27702 See this Event on Facebook Join the Cause for CRA Modernization   Join Our Mailing List! We look forward to seeing you for a productive and informative day. Advance registration closes Sept. 18th.   The Community Reinvestment Association of North Carolina 919.667.1557 x30   Organized by the Community Reinvestment Association of North Carolina with the North Carolina Community Development Initiative

 

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State Plan for Independent Living

This is from the NC Disability Action Network which NASW-NC is a member.

Announcement

The North Carolina Statewide Independent Living Council

Would like to announce our State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) come together meeting

With our guest speakers:

Kelly Buckland

The Executive Director of the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL)

September 16^th and 17^th

The Location will be at the

Holiday Inn Brownstone Hotel & Conference Center

1707 Hillsborough Street- Raleigh, NC 27605

Toll Free 800-331-7919

Tel: (919) 828-0811 – Fax (919) 834-090

The meeting to start at 10 Am and ends at 4 Pm each day

Contact: The NCSILC office with any requested accommodation needs.

Please RSVP if you plan to attend.

For more information Phone (919) 835-3636 or E-mail redohanlon@yahoo.com

NCSILC office 401 Oberlin Road Raleigh NC 27605