Wishing all the Arc Executive Forum members a very happy holiday and new year! In 2018, we have a long list of opportunities to improve the service system for people with disabilities together. I hope you have a restful holiday so we can jump into gear in January.
FIRST UP: JAN 3, 10 AM – ARC EXECUTIVE FORUM WEBINAR
Here is the link to register.
We have three topics for the day: 1) Charlene Bennett from IAG will be talking about their lawsuit against the City of Springfield around the proximity and the federal efforts to support it, 2) Discussion of the 2018 State Legislative Session, 3) Arc legislative priorities.
REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR THE ARC’S LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE, FEB 1-2, LISLE HILTON
We have a range of hot topics for the conference: person centered planning, supported employment, Ligas implementation, DHS/DDD/DRS, federal policy issues, leadership in times of crisis and more. This year, we are holding 10-12 round table discussions so that attendees can listen, learn and share with each other about operational strategies. If you have a topic that you would like to see, please email me. Check out the flier here.
HOT OFF THE PRESS – N.B. V. NORWOOD CONSENT DECREE
For those who are not aware, N.B. v. Norwood consent decree that was just recently certified is focused on kids under 22 who have mental health/behavioral health support needs and have either a developmental disability or mental health disorder or both. It is focused on increasing access to home and community based services and residential supports for kids. The state is doing an implementation plan based on the consent decree. In the new year, we hope to have a webinar with the lawyer in the case who can talk about the opportunities but the hope is that like Ligas, this consent decree might be able to force to the state to provide additional funding support for services for kids. Here is the consent decree and here is the press release from the lawyer. More to follow.
Just in case you didn’t catch from the Arc general update sent out early:
Adult Services Waiver Approved
Illinois was informed that the Home and Community Based Services Waiver for Adults with Developmental Disabilities was approved by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Unfortunately the approved waiver, while including some recommended changes by advocates, still continues to underinvest in community living, does not transform or add flexibility to the system to address individual needs or address the waiting list. It also inadequately funds supported employment and integrated community day programs.
The approved waiver can be found at: http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=45915. The major changes can be found on page one of the waiver.
Here is what Director Fenton said in DDD Scoop:
“I am pleased to announce that the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver for Adults with Developmental Disabilities has been approved with an effective date of July 1, 2017. The renewed waiver will continue to serve individuals age 18 or older who meet an intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities level of care… With the approval of the adult waiver and the two children’s waivers earlier in the year, the Division is looking forward to collaborating with stakeholders to ensure continued waiver compliance and obtaining consensus on amendments to the waivers that will advance systems change initiatives.”
Latest DDD Bulletin: Guidance on Annual Audits of Day Programs
The Illinois Department of Human Services/Division of Developmental Disabilities (ILDHS/DDD) must conduct ongoing annual reviews of Medicaid Waiver programs per the approved Medicaid Waiver Application. Through this notice, it is DDD’s intention to provide additional guidance on the billing process and what constitutes an adequate audit trail for Day Program Services. Day Program Services include: Supported Employment (group or individual setting), Community Day Services, and Adult Day Care Services.
The explanation of the bulletin and the web link to the form can be found here: http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=101180
Office of Inspector General Postings of Substantiated Findings/CILA Scorecard Discussion – The Arc along with a number of other groups participated in a discussion about how to share OIG substantiated findings from CILA homes in way that offers transparency and decreases confusion for families around the findings. As we have reported previously, OIG posted and then removed a website where they reported findings with names of staff. The most recent meeting suggested a path forward, which will allow organizations to offer a response to findings and potentially connect the website to the future CILA Scorecard that is expected to be unveiled soon.
HCBS Task Force – Last Legislative Session, SB84 mandated a Home and Community Based Services Task Force, created to look at how Illinois could utilize federal funding better for HCBS. There are a number of Arc leaders and staff participating in the 12 person group. It falls under the open meetings act so anyone is welcome to participate. The Task Force is meeting monthly through June as well as has a number of work groups to focus on specific areas including other state models, funding structures, and housing. Four legislators are expected to participate as well.
Person Centered Planning – As you might have heard, the Division has developed a timeline for implementing an new policies and procedures guide to PCP for ISCs and organizations. The Life Choices Work Group 4 will be reviewing it in January with the hope that training will follow. In the meantime, it is expected that the division will be hosting ISC and service provider meetings. The Arc has a webinar set up for families January 9 from noon to 1 pm. Andrea Medley, Life Choices Statewide Coordinator and Kit O’Brien Cota, Life Choices Program Manager at Illinois DHS will be presenting. This presentation is designed specifically for families and the focus of this presentation will be on how the person-centered process is affecting the individuals served by Illinois DHS Division of Developmental Disabilities. There will be time for questions at the end of this presentation. Click here to register for that webinar.
Family members/caregivers interested in participating are asked to please watch the following presentations online prior to January 9th to get the most benefit from the information that will be presented.
• An Overview of Life Choices, Life Choices System Transformation 4-24-17 (21 minutes)
https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6925994549886236417
• Person Centered Planning Process Discovery, Personal Plan, Implementation Strategies (18 minutes)
https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5972061561954248195
Proximity Rules for CILAs Targeted – Justice Department filed a lawsuit against the city of Springfield against its rule creating a minimum proximity between CILA homes. IAG has been in fight with the City of Springfield because of this rule. Springfield demanded that they move a group of three men who had been living together with individual leases with IAG bringing in services. There was an unpublished group home close to them which broke this proximity law. IAG sued and the judge put an injunction on Springfield’s requirements. Two weeks ago, the Justice Department filed its own lawsuit against Springfield indicating they thought the proximity law was illegal. This is one to watch!
The Division is as well – from Director Fenton’s DDD Scoop yesterday: “our Administrative Rule on CILA precludes CILAs owned or leased by an agency and funded by the Department to be located within a distance of 800 feet from any other setting licensed or funded to provide residential services for persons with a developmental disability or mental illness. Interestingly, when I first questioned the 800-feet rule, I was told that its intent is to prevent a high concentration of CILAs in particular neighborhoods or communities, which would be the antithesis of true community integration. And while I understand that concern, this rule has always rubbed me the wrong way because I believe that we should be in the business of increasing opportunities for community integration and community inclusion ─ and not limiting them by restricting where people can live ─ regardless of the rationale. As such, we are working with the DDD Regulatory Advisory Board to eliminate language on distance requirements in our Administrative Rule on CILA. We’ll keep you apprised of our progress.”
Funding for New CILAS
The Division has announced a new program to provide financial assistance to CILA agencies to develop new capacity. The announcement, in the Dec. 4 edition of the DDD Scoop, said “a limited amount of funding” may be made available to help offset building or renovation costs.
It is very welcome news, and it comes as a surprise, considering the poor financial condition that the State has been experiencing. The announcement said the Division “recognizes that this has been a difficult year for our 60D CILA providers, particularly with respect to making decisions on expanding capacity.”
For information, contact Jennifer Elders, capacity-building representative in the Bureau of Community Services, 217-558-1425, Jennifer.elders@illinois.gov.
What Medicaid Are You? ACA vs. AABD
The Arc has received many calls on this following issues. The Division tried to clarify the state’s position in the following DDD Scoop:
“The Division of Developmental Disabilities (DD) has received numerous inquiries regarding individual changes with Medicaid. If an individual’s Medicaid category has recently changed from an Aged, Blind and Disabled (AABD) case to an Affordable Care Act (ACA) case, the individual will continue to be eligible for DD waiver services.
A misconception has been raised regarding individuals enrolled in the DD waiver. Guardians and/or agencies have a belief that individuals should be placed on an AABD case. This simply is not true. What matters is that a DD waiver recipient is Medicaid eligible. It does not matter which Medicaid program they are enrolled in. If anything happens with a customer on a DD waiver, it will be handled by the Medicaid office at that time (i.e., ages out, begins receiving Medicare, etc.).
The Division is aware that those who were eligible under AABD were converted to ACA adults unless they are 65+ or receiving Medicare. This is in keeping with the fact that since ACA started, persons who applied for Medicaid and were eligible for both programs, were included in the ACA adult category. The benefits to the clients are that they can have income up to 138% Federal Poverty Level and do not require resource verifications.
On April 27 of this year, the DD and HFS hosted a webinar that explains the Medicaid eligibility process. Please use this link to view the recorded webinar and six-page hand out.
http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=81882”
Meg Cooch
Executive Director
The Arc of Illinois
20901 S. LaGrange Rd. Suite 209
Frankfort, IL 60423
815-464-1832 (OFFICE)
Meg@thearcofil.org