We had a full agenda with presentations on the 1115 Waiver, Autism NOW and Tony’s monthly
report to our chapters at the monthly meeting of the Executive Forum yesterday.
Shane Spotts, Senior Consultant with Health Management Associates and consultant to the
Administration on the 1115 Medicaid Transformation Waiver, walked us through the highlights the
new waiver. The Illinois Waiver is the largest and most comprehensive in the nation. Illinois will be
asking for about $6 billion to implement this Medicaid Transformation Waiver. It is a large task but
Shane said when all is said and done the waiver’s initial impact will not be earth shattering to the Developmental Disability System. Rather we need to have a five to ten year outlook as the
Developmental Disability System shifts and changes to a more person centered model. Services
and supports will continue to be provided to individuals with intellectual and other developmental
disabilities. Service providers will continue but adjust to new roles. The State will have to work with
the new Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) Rules for Home & Community Based Services and
outcomes required by CMS.
Amy Goodman, Co Director for Autism NOW: The National Autism Resource and Information
Center. Autism NOW is funded by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities; the Autism
NOW Center will become the central point of access to high-quality resources and information for
individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), their families, professionals, and other key
stakeholders. Autism NOW is a project of The Arc.
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
