June 9th, 2006 

People First of California
Hearing at the Capitol

Thanks to the hard work of the PFCA Executive Committee, Marty Omoto, members from the California Disability Community Action Network, and over 100 self-advocates attending, the first inaugural People First of California (PFCA) Hearing at the State Capitol (held in the Assembly Hearing Room in the Capitol), chaired by President Michael Cooke, was an outstanding success! 

This was a great event with advocates providing testimony to the Board of PFCA about the state of the state for developmental services.  Advocates testified on their problems with SSI overpayments, problems related to inadequate services of dental hygienist, and the positive impact of independent living services.  Other advocates also testified about the need for help with getting jobs, help with doctors appointments, problems with the cap on savings rules for SSI (it is “too low, it’s been in place a long time and needs to be changed”), one advocate said she likes her group home and day program and she is looking forward to moving into her own apartment with staff soon. 

A visit from Senator Wes Chesbro and staff Peggy Collins were greeted with a standing ovation from the self-advocates in the room.  Senator Chesbro gave a rousing talk about how he was educated by a member of People First in his home office and since then has been fighting hard for the rights of people with developmental disabilities.  He has met with President Michael Cooke on several occasions and thanks PFCA for their awarding him and Ms. Collins a plaque of recognition at their annual Retreat.  He also talked highly of the many art pieces he has in his office from people with disabilities.  He is terming out of the Senate this year but has high hopes of returning in two years and running for office in the Assembly to further the much needed work to support people with developmental disabilities.  He made note that Ms. Collins has been an instrumental staffer who has provided invaluable resources and information to him to better the rights and services to people with disabilities.  PFCA was very fortunate to have the Senator step out of his very busy schedule of trying to balance the California State Budget and participate in our Hearing.

Other guests from the legislature, John Boisa and Michael Dimmit staff of the Assembly, provided welcoming comments. 

Julia Mullen, Deputy Director of Community Services of the Department of Developmental Services, offered congratulations on a successful event and reminded the officers that the legislators are working this weekend and will consider increasing the service rate more than the 3% already proposed by the administration and is considering an increase to supported employment. 

Another state official in attendance, Alan Kerzin, Executive Director of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, congratulated PFCA and encouraged many more hearings like this in the future. 

The Arc of California was also fortunate to extend our congratulations to PFCA and its appreciation for the information about the state of services and supports. 

PFCA thanks Marty Omoto and the California Disability Community Action Network for assisting PFCA in hosting their first successful Capitol briefing. With CDCAN and Marty's help, PFCA had a very successful Hearing and plans on doing more hearings in the near future.

Thanks to CDCAN, this hearing will soon be able to be viewed at their website at www.cdcan.us.  Please check it out and look for ways to support CDCAN's valuable resources by making a donation to their support of the disability community.

© 2007 People First^® of California, Inc.