The Division on Friday released new guidance and FAQs about self directed assistance. This is important for families with home based services who use SDAs to help support individuals. Providers will hopefully see further clarity and flexibility around the SDA parameters. The Arc has advocated for the division to remain broad in their interpretation so that families and providers can agree on what works for them. ***Please email me at meg@thearcofil.org if you have any concerns with the latest revisions. The Division convened a group of individuals, families and providers to talk about the scope and needs for the SDA service. Thanks to all the families who shared their experiences with their SDAs and a shout out to the Division leadership for moving to address the issues that arose.
ACTION ALERT
Tell Congress to Continue the Money Follows the Person Program – Urge Congress to Pass the EMPOWER Care Act
Today and tomorrow, advocates in DC are holding two hearings (one today and the below one tomorrow) to talk about the impact of money follows the person:
BRIEFING: Thursday, September 6 (THIS WEEK) at 3:00 PM Room 2103 Rayburn House Office Building. FLYER ATTACHED
FB Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/475575479624528/
If you aren’t in DC or can’t watch on TV, you can still help:
ACT NOW –
click here to contact your House member to support the Money Follows the Person (MFP) program. MFP significantly improves the lives of older adults and people with disabilities through assisting them to effectively transition out of long term institutional settings. By favoring community-based services, states save money and see better outcomes. That’s why nearly every state has participated in the program!
Independent evaluations have proven MFP improves the quality of life for individuals, and reduced Medicaid and Medicare expenditures by approximately 23%. Unfortunately, MFP expired September 30, 2016, and states are running out of funding. Seven states are already out of funding and ALL programs will end by the end of 2018. Congress must ACT NOW!
Sens. Portman (R-OH) and Cantwell (D-WA) have introduced bipartisan legislation (EMPOWER Care Act – S. 2227) to improve and extend the program for five years, and a House bill (H.R. 5306) was introduced last week.
Urge your Members of Congress to co-sponsor and support the bill!
Meg Cooch
Executive Director
The Arc of Illinois
20901 S. LaGrange Rd. Suite 209
Frankfort, IL 60423
815-464-1832 (OFFICE)
Meg@thearcofil.org