ࡱ> A?B!` `bjbj\\ .,>>` ,& DF Z , prrrrrr$5h     pp : Rj)B   D,0WWW0 X    d  DHS e-update for Tuesday, October 09, 2007 COMMISSIONERS CORNER Id like to use this space to update you on the various goings on in Washington D.C. issues that can greatly impact the services provided by this department: This past weekend, Governor Jon S. Corzine appeared on  HYPERLINK "http://a.media.abcnews.com/podcasts/071007tw_show.mp3" This Week with George Stephanopoulos and eloquently defended our states higher eligibility standards and his commitment to insure low and moderate income families. The Presidents veto of SCHIP expansion legislation has been met with strong opposition from elected officials, advocates and news media throughout the country. Todays Los Angeles Times said Bush has hinted he is open to a compromise but still has not made clear what he is willing to accept. In other news, the US Senate Agriculture Committee will mark up their version of the  HYPERLINK "http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/C?c110:./temp/~c110PwAiiU" Farm Bill in a couple of weeks. The legislation reauthorizes the Food Stamp program for the next five years. This subsidy has proven a great success in helping low-income residents in need of food assistance. The Feeding Americas Families Act of 2007 makes enhancements to the Food Stamp Program including, increased benefit levels, treatment of resources and new resource exclusions. We look forward to -- and encourage -- its passage. Another update involves changes imposed by the federal government to Medicare Part D.  HYPERLINK "http://www.medicare.gov" Medicare began offering a prescription drug benefit in January 2006. There are approximately 147,000 NJ Medicaid clients who also have Medicare coverage (referred to as dual-eligibles). Each year, the federal government contracts with private prescription drug plans (PDPs) and the plans expected to be offered in 2008 were recently announced. After analyzing the information released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), DHS learned that many of its clients could face monthly premium charges or their medications may no longer be covered by the plan they are now in. All states will be affected by these changes. We will be working with our stakeholders and advocates to ensure an educated transition for our clients. DIVISION NEWS **REMINDER: DHS FALL BUDGET FORUMS** Tuesday, 10/23 -- Southern Region Forum, Gloucester County Community College, Sewell Tuesday, 10/30 -- Central Region Forum, Middlesex Fire Academy, Sayreville Friday, 11/2 -- Northern Region Forum, North Jersey Developmental Center, Totowa Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) The October  HYPERLINK "http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/ddd/DDDnews10-07.pdf" DDD Newsletter is now available online for review. This edition features an article on expanded training for families of children with developmental disabilities and a partner-profile on Kim Todd, Executive Director of the New Jersey Association of Community Providers (NJACP). Division of Addiction Services (DAS) The New Jersey Access Initiative (NJAI), developed for the Access to Recovery grant opportunity from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, is completing its final year. Through the collaboration of NJAI providers, clients were offered clinical and recovery support services in a team approach. This program resulted in strong relationships among treatment and recovery support providers, faith based and secular providers and brought a new workforce to the addictions field in New Jersey, the Recovery Mentor. The NJAI was an innovative approach and successful endeavor for DAS having served 8,000 clients since March 2005, well over its target of 4,710 clients. Commission for the Blind & Visually Impaired (CBVI) In keeping with the theme of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, CBVI reminds readers of its  HYPERLINK "http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/cbvi/dhsvoc.html" Vocational Rehabilitation Program. Vocational Rehabilitation services assists persons who are blind or visually impaired in the development, acquisition or updating of skills that will enable them to secure and maintain employment. For more information on Vocational Rehabilitation Services, contact: Greg Patty, at 973-648-4796. Your comments and suggestions for content are welcome, as are constituent correspondences or inquiries. Please address to:  HYPERLINK "mailto:dhs_commissioner@dhs.state.nj.us" dhs_commissioner@dhs.state.nj.us. To be removed from the DHS e-update distribution list, please  HYPERLINK "mailto:nicole.brossoie@dhs.state.nj.us" email Nicole Brossoie with remove from distribution in the subject line. 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