Date: January 1, 2010

To: The Honorable Governor of Iowa Chet Culver, Lt. Governor Judge, Iowa State Legislators

From:  The Arc of Iowa Board of Directors

Re: Legislative Recommendations for 2010

History: The Arc of Iowa exists to ensure that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities receive services, supports and opportunities necessary to fully realize their right to live work and enjoy life in the community. As the largest advocacy organization for people with intellectual disabilities in Iowa-with more than 1500 members and 22 chapters statewide-The Arc of Iowa is a voice on behalf of our most vulnerable citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Present: Recognizing the unprecedented fiscal challenges facing the State of Iowa, many of our recommendations will have little or no fiscal impact to the state.  Others will begin the process of shifting dollars from expensive state operated facilities to community based programs.  It is apparent Iowa must not risk falling further out of compliance with the American with Disabilities Act of 1990, The 1994 Iowa Connor Consent Decree, and the 1999 Olmstead Supreme Court decision.

Recommendations: 

1. Eliminate the use of the term “Mental Retardation” in the name of the MHMRDDBI Commission and elsewhere in the Code of Iowa.

2. Develop a Governor appointed task force which will specifically study and recommend to the Governor and legislators the feasibility and specific action steps toward the closure of one of two State operated Resource Centers in Iowa by 2013. 

3. Fund cost effective mental health, intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities and brain injury services at a level adequate to meet basic needs. This includes replacing the 1996 dollar cap on county property tax levies with a levy rate cap, giving counties the flexibility in which base year to use as the capitation rate.

4. Iowa must recognize the need to build community capacity in order to serve all individuals in communities of their choice as instructed by the Olmstead decision. This includes a commitment that no funding cuts will affect people with disabilities and existing waiting lists will be reduced.