As we plan for the future all stakeholder input is needed. This agency is working to offer a continuum of services to individuals and families based upon their choices. The Office of Civil Rights has requested that Arkansas create a working plan to demonstrate our response to the Supreme Court's Olmstead decision from last summer. The strategic plan and the working plan should coordinate but are not the same effort. I would encourage all interested stakeholders to be active in both.
Widespread participation builds trust and creativity.
This is NOT about closing facilities or taking resources and services from some in order to benefit others. As we strive to communicate I ask you to participate, listen to others, exchange ideas, avoid inflammatory rhetoric, and be optimistic for the future. The future is what we dream today. Thanks in advance for your help. The Executive Steering Committee representing stakeholders is scheduled to meet on March 29th to provide direction in the Mail Out survey and related issues.