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Table of Contents:

• IARF & SIARF Partner to Offer Meaningful Day Services Webinar Series
• Secretary Hou Joins Final Weekly COVID Provider Call
• IARF Requests Support of the Governor on DHS-DDD Rate Adjustments
• Illinois Partners for Human Service PPP Survey
• National Council on Behavioral Health Call to Action
• ACLU & SEIU Issue Petition to HHS, CMS, CCSQ, & CDC on COVID-19 Response
• DHS-DDD CDS Provider Survey
• IDPH LTC Visitation Guidance
• DHS-DDD Draft Information Bulletin – 37U
• Vote Yes for Fair Tax Organizational Sign-On
• Are You Interested in Serving as an Integrated Health Home?
• IARF Webinar: WC-102: Communication & Restricted Duty Next Tuesday
• IARF Member Virtual Roundtable with Molyneaux 
• The Alliance: ADA Anniversary Update: 30 Years, Where do We go Now? Audio Conference
• NAQ Webinar: Person-Centered Planning in Difficult Times
• SAMHSA Webinar: Improving Access to Care Through Access to Medicaid 1115 Waivers 
• Social Security 101 Webinar – July 14^th

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IARF & SIARF Partner to Offer Meaningful Day Services Webinar Series
IARF and SIARF have partnered together to offer the Meaningful Day Services Webinar Series: Putting people on the pathways to success. Although the idea Employment First is gaining ground across the state, some people, especially those with more significant disabilities, still do not see community integrated employment as a viable option. For some people, giving up the structure and predictability of day programs or facility-based services for a job in the community seems daunting or impossible to manage. To address these issues and encourage the idea of work, TransCen, Inc. established WorkLink, a program that braids “waiver services” with VR-funded Supported Employment.  Braiding services creates responsive, wrap-around supports and enables service plans to be “built to order”. 
 
In a series of four webinars, Sara Murphy will discuss how to use Day Services to build meaningful lives and create pathways to community employment for people with I/DD. In these times of significant change, and extreme challenges, Illinois’s providers need to think differently and use state/federal resources in creative ways.  This webinar series will reframe how we see “Day Programs” and will provide field-tested tools and strategies for creating integrated, person-centered services and pathways to employment.

• Building Meaningful Lives I: A new day for day services – July 8^th, 1 PM
• Building Meaningful Lives II: Setting goals and teaching skills in community settings – July 22, 1 PM
• Building Meaningful Lives III: Managing community-based services and field-based teams – August 5, 1 PM
• Building Meaningful Lives IV: Addressing the challenges – August 19, 1 PM

The webinar series is free to attend and CEUs will be offered. Click here to learn more and register today! (Contact: Maggie Henley)
 
SECRETARY HOU JOINS FINAL WEEKLY PROVIDER CALL
In what is likely to be the final weekly statewide provider call for the foreseeable future, DHS Secretary Grace Hou joined our call yesterday to discuss some of the direction the Department intends to move with its reinvention strategies.  Announced on June 8^th, the Department is looking to Reinvent:

• For the people we serve: We want to provide the flexibility to tailor services to the unique needs of our three million clients, patients, and residents across Illinois. Whether services are delivered in-person, online/by phone, or a combination of the two, we will improve the standard of service and make it easier for everyone to get the help they need.
• For our staff: We will take this opportunity to design improvements in our operations.
• For our providers: We will prioritize safe working conditions, being more responsive to client, patient, and resident needs, and stretching every dollar to meet growing caseloads.

We reiterated on our call that we have been blown away by the incredible leadership DHS has shown during the pandemic and that while we won’t always agree, we will continue to partners with DHS in ways to best deliver high quality services and supports for the individuals and families we serve.

In the second half of the call, we were joined by Donna Martin and Sarah Meek with ANCOR, who brought Illinois providers up-to-speed on advocacy efforts to maximize the ability of Medicaid providers to receive CARES Act funding through the Medicaid & CHIP Payment Portal.  Both ANCOR and the National Council are leaning hard on HHS and working with Hill staff to remove barriers to providers applying for and receiving funding through this portal.  We will assist ANCOR by calling for member action starting next week. (Contact: Josh Evans)
 
IARF REQUESTS SUPPORT OF THE GOVERNOR ON DHS-DDD RATE ADJUSTMENTS
With FY21 beginning in a few short days (yet knowing rate increases require the approval of federal CMS), I/DD providers across the state are waiting on guidance from the Division on how the $1.00/hr wage rate component increase in the FY21 budget is to be implemented.  As members are aware, we advocated hard during the closing days of the legislative session to assist the Division in getting its introduced budget request into law ($1.00/hr increase effective 07/01/20 and $0.50/hr increase effective 01/01/21 – not a direct pass through). In the interim, we’ve had discussions with key stakeholders and legislators offering to compromise on a pass through/flexible implementation strategy to try to maximize the use of limited resources.  To-date, we are still waiting on a response.
 
On Wednesday, we felt compelled to reach out to Deputy Governor for Health and Human Services Sol Flores to request her assistance in working with key stakeholders to arrive at an amicable implementation strategy.  It is our hope the Deputy Governor – a former NFP executive – will work with DHS, IARF, TDM, and key stakeholders on this issue soon. (Contact: Luis Andrade)
 
ILLINOIS PARTNERS FOR HUMAN SERVICE PPP SURVEY
The Illinois Partners for Human Service are working with the Department of Public Health and the Governor's office to determine new locations for COVID-19 mobile testing sites (both walk up and drive up). If you have a suggestion for a potential testing site in your community, or your organization is willing to serve as mobile testing site, please let them know in this one minute survey. (Contact: Dan Frey)
 
NATIONAL COUNCIL ON BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CALL TO ACTION
Please consider participating in this call-to-action from the National Council for Behavioral Health. You can follow the instructions below to send an email to your U.S. Senators and representative in the U.S. House urging them to support emergency appropriations for mental health and addiction treatment services (this is in line with the requests that advocates made earlier in the spring).
 
Instructions:

• Under the first issue “Urge Legislators to Fund Mental Health and Addiction Organizations”, click on “Take Action”
• Click “GO” after you fill in your “Street Address” and “Zip”.
• Follow the prompts.

(Contact: Dan Frey)

ACLU & SEIU ISSUE PETITION TO HHS, CMS, CCSQ, & CDC ON COVID-19 RESPONSE
The ACLU, SEIU, and other disability groups have sent major petition to HHS, CMS, CCSQ, and the CDC on deaths in congregate settings as a result of the federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Though Illinois is currently on a positive trend with COVID-19, the nation at large is seeing drastic increases in infection rates with an increasingly worrisome lack of response from the federal government.  (Contact: Dan Frey)

DHS-DDD CDS PROVIDER SURVEY
Prior to further written guidance being released the division is interested in obtaining feedback from the provider community. They have developed a survey to allow CDS providers the opportunity to provide feedback. The survey will remain open until June 30^th for providers to complete and the Division is planning to review submissions beginning June 26^th.  Director Stark has indicated that she is interested in hearing innovative plans from providers that make the system more flexible, person-centered and safe. You can find the survey HERE.   (Contact: Beth Owens)
 
IDPH LTC VISITATION GUIDANCE
The Illinois Department of Public Health recently issued guidance for how long-term care facilities may allow outdoor visitation for residents under certain criteria. This includes ICF/DD’s in the state of Illinois.  Visitation will be limited to two visitors at a time per resident, and the maximum number of residents and visitors is dependent on outdoor space. Facilities must enforce social distancing and face coverings. Visitors must schedule an appointment to visit a resident, and facilities must set a maximum number of visitors allowed in a single day. (Contact: Beth Owens)
 
DHS-DDD DRAFT INFORMATION BULLETIN – 37U
Late last week the Division released a draft Information Bulletin (IB) providing new guidance on the use of At-Home Day Program 37U for individuals with I/DD residing in Community Integrated Living Arrangements (CILA) (60D & 65H) or Community Living Facilities (67D & 67E).  Beginning July 1^st, the 37U billing code will be open for all individuals residing in one of the above-named settings. Specifics on allowable uses of this billing code can be found within the draft IB HERE.  Any comments or feedback can be sent to Beth Owens, bowens@iarf.org.  (Contact: Beth Owens)

VOTE YES FOR FAIR TAX ORGANIZATIONAL SIGN-ON
As you all know, IARF last December unanimously passed a resolution to support the Illinois Fair Tax initiative.  As a part of that initiative, IARF has been participating in the Vote Yes for Fair Tax and Vote Yes for Fairness committees.
 
Vote Yes for Fair Tax has requested that organizations who support the passage of the Fair Tax constitutional amendment in November sign on to formally list their support.  You can do so by clicking here.    IARF has signed on as a supportive organization as well and will be hosting a webinar on June 10^th for those who are interested in learning more about Vote Yes for Fair Tax; click here to register. (Contact: Dan Frey)
 
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN SERVING AS AN INTEGRATED HEALTH HOME?
With the launch of the Integrated Health Home (IHH) now pushed back to January 1, 2021, there are ways to begin the process of becoming an IHH ahead of more specific information or criteria becoming available.  If you are interested in serving as an IHH, please let the Illinois Association of Medicaid Health Plans (IAMHP) know and they will send that information on to the Medicaid health plans.
 
Complete the IHH Submission Form and IAMHP will send at least a weekly report to the plans with your information. (Contact: Dan Frey)

IARF WEBINAR: WC-102 COMMUNICATION & RESTRICTED DUTY
On June 30^th IARF will host our second webinar in the Workers’ Compensation Webinar Series with Lori Beers. In course 102, we will dig a bit deeper into working with modified duty restrictions. This section will include how to facilitate communication between you, the employee, and the doctor, regarding modified duty work. We’ll discuss how to track and monitor modified duty, to ensure employee safety and compliance.  Lastly, we’ll go over the rules regarding time away from work for injury related medical treatment.
 
At the end of this course, attendees will:

• Understand the rules for communicating with the doctor and injured employee with regards to work restrictions.
• Understand how to track and monitor work restrictions.
• Understand how to handle time away from work for injury related medical treatment.

Click here to learn more and register today. This webinar is free for IARF members and member login is required for registration. If you have any questions, please contact mhenley@iarf.org. (Contact: Maggie Henley)

IARF Member Virtual Roundtable with Molyneaux
Join us for a virtual round table discussion with our supporting members from Molyneaux on Tuesday, July 14^th at 10:00 am. We will be discussing best risk management practices to help control costs and help improve your internal safety programs. There will also be plenty of time during the webinar for Q&A with the Molyneaux representatives.
 
IARF Roundtable Discussion with Molyneaux: Best Risk Management Practices
Tuesday, July 14, 2020
10:00 – 11:00 am
REGISTER HERE
 
(Contact: Maggie Henley)

THE ALLIANCE: ADA ANNIVERSARY UPDATE: 30 YEARS, WHERE DO WE GO NOW? AUDIO CONFERENCE
The Great Lakes ADA Center in collaboration with the ADA National Network invites you to attend the July ADA Audio Conference Series session titled, “ADA Anniversary Update: 30 Years, Where do We go Now?”
Date:   July 14th, 2020 (Special Date)
Time:  1 - 2:30pm Central Time
 
The session will feature:

• Emily Ladau, Editor in Chief, Rooted in Rights Blog;
• Maria Town, President and CEO, American Association of People with Disabilities;
• Timotheus Gordon, Jr., Researcher-Activist, Institute on Disability and Human Development at UIC, Co-Founder (Chicagoland Disabled People of Color Coalition);
• Jae Jin Pak, Community Education & Training Coordinator, Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois Chicago;

Session Description:
 On July 26th, 1990 President George H. Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The intent of the ADA was to provide persons with disabilities Equality of opportunity, Full participation, Independent living, and Economic self-sufficiency. Thirty years down the road what is the state of disability rights in the United States? Join us as our speakers look forward and discuss what needs to be done to further the rights of persons with disabilities and fulfill the goals of the ADA. Participants will have an opportunity to pose questions to our speakers.
 
This session is offered via the Zoom webinar platform. Captioning is available in the webinar room or via StreamText link.
 
Registration:  Advance Registration is required at: http://www.ada-audio.org  (you will need to set up an account on our website if you do not have one already). Questions:   877-232-1990 (V/TTY) or by email at webinars@ada-audio.org (Contact: Luis Andrade)

NAQ Webinar: Person-Centered Planning in Difficult Times
NAQ is pleased to host Art Dykstra, a long-time leader in the field of developmental disabilities and recent co-author of the book A New Plan: Using Positive Psychology to Renew the Promise of Person-Centered Planning.  Connie Melvin, Executive Director of NAQ, will be interviewing and discussing with Art such issues as controlling the negativity instinct in times of difficulty, the importance of a positive culture, as well as the latest in developments in planning with persons who have disabilities—including the five essential components of person-centered planning.  Join us in thinking more about how we can help those we support build and live their best life possible. The webinar will be held on July 14^th at 2pm. Click here to learn more and register today! (Contact: Maggie Henley)

SAMHSA WEBINAR“IMPROVING ACCESS TO CARE THROUGH MEDICAID 1115 WAIVERS 
A SAMHSA sponsored webinar presented by the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the National Council for Behavioral Health, will take place Wednesday, July 1, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. Central Time called “Improving Access to Care through Medicaid 1115 Waivers.”  Please click here to register to participate. (Contact: Dan Frey)

SOCIAL SECURITY 101 WEBINAR – JULY 14th
The Illinois Life Span Program (ILS) is hosting a webinar on Social Security 101 –Understanding the Benefits.  The webinar is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14th from Noon to 1:00 PM in English. The webinar is being presented by: Josephine Mueller and Daniel Summer, Public Affairs Specialists with Social Security. This presentation will provide information on Social Security benefits and programs including FICA, SSDI and SSI.  It will also explain what is new for 2020. Register for the ILS Webinar - Social Security 101 - Understanding the Benefits HERE. (Contact: Beth Owens)