GOVERNOR KAINE ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENTS, FEDERAL GRANT AWARD FOR VIRGINIANS WITH DISABILITIES

RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced two key appointments to positions serving Virginians with disabilities. The Governor also announced that Virginia has been awarded up to $3 million through a five-year federal grant to help build the infrastructure for a long-term support system that will allow seniors and Virginians with disabilities to live in the setting of their choice. The grant award was announced by the Governor following a meeting in Richmond with U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Mike Leavitt.

Virginia is one of eight states awarded the “Real Choice Systems Change Grant for Community Living,” with a goal of transforming the Commonwealth’s long-term support system from one that leans toward institutional care to one that provides easy access to services and supports in the community.

The project dramatically enhances the role that individuals have in determining the amount, scope, and providers of their services. Improvements in technology and the use of Web-based portals will be pivotal to the success of this project. The grant will be administered through the Office of the Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources.

“This grant will help move Virginia closer to its vision of “One Community” for all citizens - a community that welcomes seniors and individuals with disabilities and supports them as active, valued and productive neighbors and citizens,” Governor Kaine said. “This enables disabled and elderly individuals to live in the most integrated community setting suited to their needs, to have meaningful choices about their living arrangements, and to exercise more control over the services they receive.”

HHS’s Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has awarded approximately $240 Million in “Systems Change Grants for Community Living” during five funding cycles.

“These grants will help states take full advantage of the opportunities to reform their Medicaid long-term care systems offered by the recently passed Deficit Reduction Act of 2006 and remove barriers to equality for the 54 million Americans living with disabilities,” Secretary Leavitt said. “They will help persons with disabilities exercise meaningful choices about how and where to live their lives.”

In addition, Governor Kaine today announced the reappointment of Julie A. Stanley of Hanover as Director of Community Integration for People with Disabilities, a position she has held since 2004. Stanley is a former Assistant Attorney General of the Commonwealth, where she served as counsel to disability service agencies. Stanley also served 10 years at the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services, ultimately serving as Assistant Commissioner. Stanley is a graduate of the University of Richmond and has been a state employee more than 30 years.

Governor Kaine also announced that Ed Turner of Richmond will serve as a Special Advisor to the Governor on Disability Issues. For the past 13 years, Turner has been employed as a training associate at the Research and Rehabilitation Center at Virginia Commonwealth University. Turner is a recognized expert on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and has used his knowledge to develop a guide on implementation of the ADA for consumers and employers. Turner has 33 years of experience on disability rights issues.

“Julie and Ed have the experience and passion needed to make sure Virginia continues moving forward by promoting independence and expanded options for our seniors and disabled residents,” Governor Kaine said. “Combined with today’s grant announcement, these appointments should signal our Administration’s strong commitment to work every day to improve the lives of our citizens.”