But a recent proposal from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services would merge CAP-C with another program, CAP-DA, which currently serves the families of adults with disabilities. The proposed change would merge the two programs into one, resulting in less financial support to families of children with disabilities.
“The plan was proposed to make the transition from CAP-C to CAP-DA easier,” said Elaine Nell from Advocates for Medically Fragile Children of N.C. “But with the way this new policy is written, those of us who have kids on CAP-C will see our resources cut in half, at least. What they’ve passed is just not acceptable.”
The DHHS contends the new policy would not affect the quality of support being provided, because there will be new checks put in place to monitor performance, according to Alexandra Lefebvre, press assistant with the DHHS.
“We require states to operate a Quality Improvement Strategy for the oversight of waiver assurances and associated performance measures. Merging these two waivers will allow us to more effectively set and measure benchmarks and outcomes for all served in the merged waiver,” said Lefebvre.
Critics contend that despite the more streamlined transition between CAP-C and CAP-AD created by merging the two, the monetary decrease in benefits paid to families with children living with disabilities would be devastating.
“For families that need it, CAP-C is a lifeline — it provides a lot of crucial resources for them so they can lead normal, healthy lives like anyone else,” said Mark Steele, executive director of The Adaptables, an advocacy group for people living with disabilities.
Another major worry about the policy is it may lead to further institutionalization of children with disabilities. Parents may feel they are simply not financially capable of providing for their child without CAP-C support, according to Nell.
“Children will be put at risk and families will be torn apart by this,” said Nell. “It’s drastic and it will result in lives being destroyed.”
