The Dept of Health Care & Family Services has posted the draft of the Statewide
Transition Plan for compliance with the New HCBS Medicaid Waiver Rules.  The
draft plan can be found at this link: Statewide Transition Plan.

In addition, a webmail address has been established to receive public comment.
HFS has asked that comments be submitted either through the webmail address,
public forums or via mail to ensure that all comments are received through a
uniform process.  A tracking system has been established for the comments
received.

Posted at the same website is the schedule of listening forums.

The Transition Plan contains both UIS’ reports of the residential and non-
residential surveys.  These reports are draft.  Public comment may be made on the
entire Plan and the UIS research.

A program on the new Federal Requirements for Community-Based Settings will
be part of The Arc’s Leadership Conference. Register today!

The Arc is hosting a listening forum at its Frankfort office on Wednesday,
February 4th, 1:00 to 3:30. Call The Arc’s office for details at 815/464-1832.

Tony

Statewide Transition Plan 

New Federal Requirements for Residential and Non-Residential Home and
Community-Based Settings

Background:

On January 16, 2014 the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS)
issued new regulations for the provision of Medicaid Home and Community-Based
Services (HCBS). Each state that operates a 1915 (c) waiver or a Section 1915 (i)
state plan benefit that was in effect on or before March 17, 2014 is required to file
a Statewide Transition Plan. The intent of the new regulations is to ensure that
individuals receiving long-term care services and supports through HCBS programs
have full access to benefits of community living and the opportunity to receive
services in the most integrated setting appropriate. This includes opportunities:

  1. To seek employment and work in competitive and integrated settings
  2. Engage in community life
  3. Control personal resources
  4. Receive services in the community, to the extent to which they are able as
    individuals who do not receive HCBS

The focus of the Statewide Transition Plan will be compliance with the rules as they
relate to the setting where a person may live and where he/she may receive services.

Purpose:

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Service (HFS) in collaboration with
the Illinois Departments of Aging (IDoA) and Human Services (DHS) and its
Divisions of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) and Mental Health (DMH) is
developing a Statewide Transition Plan as a result of the new Federal Home and
Community-Based Services (HCBS) setting requirements effective March 17, 2014.
These regulations are CMS 2249-F and CMS 2296-F, which affect Illinois’1915 (c)
Home and Community Based Services Waivers.  Illinois plans to submit its Statewide
Transition Plan by March 17, 2015.  Our Statewide Transition Plan must include the
strategies to bring Illinois in full compliance with Federal rules by March 16, 2019.
All of the state departments and divisions have been working collaboratively
beginning shortly after the implementation of the new rules. Stakeholder feedback
on the Statewide Transition Plan is a critical component of the Plan and is required
by CMS.

The following 1915(c) waivers currently operating in Illinois that need to be in
compliance and addressed in the Statewide Transition Plan:

  1. Adults with Developmental Disabilities
  2. Children and Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities
  3. Medically Fragile/Technology Dependent Children
  4. Persons who are Elderly
  5. Persons with Brain Injury
  6. Persons with Disability
  7. Persons with HIV/AIDS
  8. Residential Services for Children and Young Adults with Developmental
    Disabilities
  9. Supportive Living Program


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@thearcofil.org