January 18, 2024

California Community Living Network Priority Issues

The California Community Living Network (CCLN) is focused on ensuring that personal and

individualized supports such as supported and independent living, respite, personal assistance and

competitive integrated employment all remain viable options for people with developmental disabilities.

CCLN understands the incredible fiscal pressures the state will face in finalizing a 2024-25 state budget

and, despite the numerous fiscal needs of service providers and individuals with intellectual and

developmental disabilities (IDD), CCLN is advocating for protecting the laudable progress the state has

made in the delivery of IDD services over the last several years. CCLN has identified the following top

priorities:

1. Support the Governor’s proposal for an IDD Master Plan. This type of long-term planning has

been missing from IDD programing decisions and the work that CCLN is leading on the PAVE

program and DSPU will be integral to the Master Plan.

2. Continue the planned implementation of the 2019 Rate Study with final increase July 1, 2024.

CCLN opposes the Governor’s January proposal to revert the final increase to July 1, 2025.

Workforce shortages are at unsustainable levels and these rate increases go directly to wages. In

fact, previous legislation required that providers not spend a smaller percentage of the rate

increase on staff wages and required providers to maintain documentation that rate increases were

used to increase wages of staff spending 75% or more of their time providing direct services. The

system cannot afford to delay this promise.

3. Ensure the Independent Living Skills (ILS) rate fix is implemented. The 2023-24 Budget required

implementation of the revised ILS rate by January 2024. Service professionals need these

increases and providers cannot afford for resolution to be delayed.

4. Ensure that ILS and Supported Living Services (SLS) remain separate and distinct services. These

specific service types are each important with differences in direct service professional skill sets,

consumer needs, and utilization. CCLN would not support any efforts or proposal to combine

these service types.

5. Ensure Chapter 309, Statutes of 2023 (SB 616), implementation does not exacerbate workforce

shortages through unintended operationalization. Some early interpretations of this bill (expanded

paid sick leave) suggest that dual IHSS and SLS employees that work lengthy weekend shifts

could have leave accrual “stack” in a manner that was not intended by the legislation. This

stacking effect could exacerbate workforce shortages and may require cleanup.

6. Expand eligibility for Regional Center SLS housing assistance. Under existing law, Regional

Centers are precluded from making rent, mortgage, or lease payments except under specified

circumstances. Those circumstances require a consumer’s demonstrated medical, behavioral, or

psychiatric condition to present a health and safety risk to himself or herself, or another. However,

these conditions do not consider a consumer’s financial circumstances, homeless status, or

likelihood to become homeless in the absence of assistance.

CCLN appreciates the collaboration with the Administration and Legislature over the past several years to

advance shared goals to improve service delivery to individuals with IDD. We now urge the state to keep

its promises by protecting this progress.

Sincerely,

Mark N Melanson

Chief Executive Officer

California Community Living Network