The following information is from Reta Hoskin at the Division of Developmental Disabilities. I have copied the section of the waiver that summarizes proposed changes to the adult waiver. I believe it is Director Casey’s intent to amend the waiver periodically to bring it into more contemporary practices so consider this one of more changes to come for the adult waiver.
 
Tony
 
The approved adult waiver, and the action plan filed with it, are both available on the Division’s website at the following link:
 
http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=45915.
 
Should you forward this link, please remind people that the waiver is a lengthy document to print at 192 pages.
 
Highlights of the proposed changes include:
 
The renewal submission, Illinois is proposing new quality improvement strategies with specific performance measures that are described in each corresponding appendix.
 
There are proposed changes in oversight strategies to increase the frequency of review activity. As a result of instituting new performance measures for ongoing oversight and monitoring of this waiver, which generate a steady stream of performance data, the Operating Agency (OA) and the Medicaid Agency (MA) will be in an improved position to detect the impact of system improvement changes and to assess and compare
performance over time and across systems. Many of the performance measures have already been implemented as described in the Adult Waiver evidentiary report submitted to CMS as part of the waiver review process.
 
In order to further enhance its critical incident management system the State is submitting an Action Plan to CMS with the waiver renewal application. The Action Plan outlines the activities that the State is undertaking to enhance reporting and monitoring of other types of critical incidents. Currently the State requires the reporting of allegations of abuse, neglect, financial exploitation and deaths. The Action Plan has been incorporated into the waiver by reference.
 
Program capacity is also being increased as part of the renewal request. A settlement was reached in the Ligas v. Illinois case and the State has developed a plan to comply with the Court order. In this application, the State is designating reserve capacity. The purpose of the reserve capacity is to provide waiver services to 800 participants in accordance with the Ligas consent decree and to provide services to participants transitioning to the waiver from State-Operated Developmental Centers. 
 
Language has been added to Section B-1-b. to clarify the target group for the Waiver. The new language states that the Waiver does not serve individuals who need services solely due to physical conditions, but rather serves individuals with  Intellectual Disabilities or conditions similar to Intellectual Disabilities, thus requiring an ICFs/MR level of care.
 
The service, Supported Employment (SEP) has been amended to reflect the federal guidance that was issued.
 
The service Assistive Technology is being merged with Adaptive Equipment. Any request received from a participant requesting Assistive Technology will be processed as a request for Adaptive Equipment. No change in actual service coverage is anticipated as a result of the merger of these two services
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Tony Paulauski
Executive Director
The Arc of Illinois
20901 S. LaGrange Rd. Suite 209
Frankfort, IL 60423
815-464-1832 (OFFICE)
815-464-1832 (CELL)
Tony@www.thearcofil.org