I am heading to Chicago this morning for the Conflict Free Work Group.
A new Intellectual and Developmental Disability Work Group has been created as I have
been telling you. This work group will address special systems changes for individuals with I/DD.
The charter for the IDD Work Group follows and is to be chaired by Mark Doyle & Director
Casey. Among other things it will focus on the waiting list, rates for community living options
and employment.
The first meeting of the IDD Work Group will be Tuesday, Oct. 21st, 11:00 to 1:00. The meetings
will take place at the DHS Executive Video Conference Rooms in the Clinton Building, 7th Floor,
401 S. Clinton, Chicago; Harris Building, DHS 3rd Floor, 100 S. Grand Ave East, Springfield
Addressing special systems challenges for persons with IDD
Chair and Co-Chair – Mark Doyle & Kevin Casey
Reducing PUNS waiting list
Redesign the PUNS instrument to reflect state-of-the-art support and the process for
completing PUNS.
Upgrade the information technology (IT) capacity of PUNS so the data can be analyzed
at multiple levels in order to manage the waiting list. The integrity of this database is
imperative to ensure fair and equal access for all potential Waiver participants in the
developmental disabilities system.
Information about how PUNS is conducted and its purpose must be available to the
community through written materials and the web. The PUNS process must be more
transparent.
Developing model for outcome-based reimbursement strategies for the ID/DD system
Recommend improvements or changes to the CILA Rate determination Model in serving
persons with complex needs (i.e., severe behavior, intense medical needs, intense sensory
and dysfunctional sexual challenges)
Address challenges and recommend potential changes to CILA rates that support homes
with 4 or fewer persons.
Service enhancements for persons with mental health and other co-occurring conditions
moving from institutions to the community
Design and implement a community crisis services for persons with IDD that includes:
Pre-crisis supports and training to programs that may be to divert a potential crisis.
Create mobile crisis teams that could be rapidly deployed to assess the crisis, defuse or
recommend a stabilization home or hospitalization.
Develop short term crisis stabilization homes for up to 30 day stay prior to return to sending
agency.2. Create linkages with local mental health services and hospitals that will support
persons with IDD.
Customized Employment in Achieving Employment First Outcomes
Design a plan to transition persons in sheltered workshop or segregated programs to
integrated individual or group employment or day habilitation options.
The state will expand current pilot programs for innovative employment models for all individuals
with disabilities, including those with the most significant needs. A menu of employment services
will be created and made available statewide, not limited by region.
Create an outcome-based plan to increase employment opportunities for all individuals with
disabilities.
Interagency collaboration to break out of silos so that funds can be braided for real work
opportunities with wraparound community-based day services.
Align funding so that there are not differences in the rates by agencies for the same services.
Provide community providers training and support to implement innovative employment models
and convert their current programs and infrastructure into those focused on employment first with
community interaction playing a key role.
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
