The Pennsylvania
legislature included a 2% cost-of-living allowance (COLA) for mental health/mental
retardation/drug and alcohol (MH/MR/D&A) programs in the Commonwealth’s
fiscal year (FY) 2004/05 budget. PCPA is documenting how this provision of
the
FY 2004/05 budget has actually been implemented for existing MH/MR/D&A
services.
Members will recall that PCPA conducted a survey in December 2004 and January 2005. PCPA greatly appreciates those members that completed the original survey; these results have assisted the association in legislative and administrative discussions this year.
During the initial survey some respondents indicated that they received a 2% COLA. In pursuing clarification with several organizations it was determined that some members did receive 2%, but only on select budget line-items. PCPA wants to assess the level of COLAs on all county MH/MR/D&A funding. PCPA needs to know what level of actual increased funding an organization received on all county appropriations.
The earlier survey had a 25% member response rate. The association is aware that many providers had not yet received even verbal promises or information regarding allocations at the time of the initial survey. PCPA needs a 50% or higher response rate from this survey. Having specific agency data will assist PCPA in preparation of its own materials and PCPA-specific documents. The association is encouraging all members to complete this brief survey, even if they responded previously, to provide additional clarity and assure that initial expectations for COLAs were achieved.
If multiple persons within an organization receive this questionnaire, please feel free to collaborate and respond on one form. Be assured, however, that should PCPA receive multiple responses from a particular organization, follow up contact will occur to ensure that one complete response is received from each member organization.
Please respond
by May 26 – this quick turnaround time will allow PCPA to synthesize
the data for presentation of another report for the June 7 lobby day. Thank
you in advance for your assistance. Please contact the Melissa
DiSanto Simmons, director of legislative affairs with questions or comments.
