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August 16, 2019


"The State of Illinois should be a leader in showing that individuals with disabilities are just as capable in the workplace and have a valued role in contributing to our state and our economy.”
 - Julie Morrison, State Senator - signing of Senate Bill 190 into Illinois law, August 5, 2019

Table of Contents:
  • 44th Annual IARF Educational Conference & Expo – Staff Highlights 
  • Glo Bingo at the IARF Conference 
  • IARF Full Conference Schedule Available Now!
  • IARF Member Appreciation Week - FREE Webinar - StationMD - Telelehealth Experts for Persons with ID/DD 
  • HFS Posts New Public Notice Regarding Elimination of Cost Sharing of Title XIX 
  • ANCOR: Federal CMS Issues New EVV Guidance as a Result of ANCOR’s Advocacy 
  • Save the Date for NatCon20 
  • IAMHP’s Annual Conference Registration Open 
  • National Council Webinar on Serious Mental Illness/Substance Abuse August 27 
  • National Council Submits Comments on Reducing Administrative Burden in Medicaid and Medicare 
  • MITC Webinar – 7 Ways to Capture Attendance 
  • Bills of Interest Signed into Law

44TH ANNUAL IARF EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE & EXPO – STAFF HIGHLIGHTS 
Luis Andrade Recommends... 

Managing in a Value Based World - David Berkey, Gilbert Lichstein, & Fabian Camarena (Wednesday, September 4 – 4:30 – 5:30 PM) 

“With some very preliminary discussion on value-based payment models within the I/DD space, I think this session will provide a lot of value for members seeking help on how to navigate this complex topic. Even though VBP may still be in its infancy, a breakout session available that provides management-level information can be helpful for any organization. Really looking forward to this one.” 

Maggie Henley Recommends... 

My Title Says “Direct Support Professional”, but... - Linda Taylor (Wednesday, September 4 – 2:00 – 3:00 pm) 

“Direct Support Professionals are the backbone of an agency and are so very dedicated to the work that they do every day. A session designed to empower a DSP, give a sense of relevance & importance, and to help DSPs define themselves as the professionals as they are is a session that holds much value. A quote from Linda Taylor for this session really stood out to me; “Once we change the way we see ourselves, others will see us differently too!” 

Dan Frey Recommends... 

Integrated Health Home and Rule Changes in Behavioral Health - Maria Bruni, HFS (Thursday, September 5 – 4:00 – 5:00 PM) 

“The Integrated Health Home program has been in development for some years now, and I am really looking forward to hearing from Ms. Bruni on how the re-thought is going to operate and differentiate from the previous scrapped proposal.  The IHH program has the potential to do a lot of good from the state, and I’m very excited to hear what we can expect to see in the new proposal.” 

Josh Evans Recommends… 

Building Advocacy Power: Engaging People with Disabilities and Families to Make Change – Meg Cooch and Krescene Beck (Thursday, September 5 – 9:45 – 10:45 am) 

“Grassroots advocacy is and will always be the most effective tool we have to advance change.  By harnessing the power of individuals, families, and organizations together – sharing personal stories to get into the conscience of society – I truly believe gets Illinois on the path.  These presenters have a wealth of experiences to share on relationship building and engagement.”  



GLO BINGO AT THE IARF CONFERENCE 
IARF and Foothold Technology are teaming up to offer Glo Bingo at the 44th Annual IARF Educational Conference & Expo! What is Glo Bingo? Well, it’s not your typical Bingo game. Glo Bingo is an exciting twist on regular Bingo. It is full of high-energy, black lights, dancing and CASH PRIZES! Each participant will receive a set of playing cards, a glow dabber, and a glow hat. This means that all supplies needed to play are included; but if you would like to bring your own glow sticks and/or wear white or neon colors that will glow it the black lights you can and are encouraged to! Conference attendees are invited to join in on the fun on Thursday at 8:00pm on September 5th. 


Glo Bingo will be a unique, fun networking event unlike any other you’ve ever seen before and we hope that you will join us! Click here to learn more about the Conference and to register today! (Contact: Maggie Henley) 



IARF FULL CONFERENCE SCHEDULE AVAILABLE NOW 
IARF is pleased to announce our full schedule is now available for the 2019 Conference! We have a great event planned for you including four incredible keynote speakers, 37 dynamic breakout sessions, 12 CEUs offered, 40 innovative exhibitors, 17 generous sponsors, and networking opportunities galore! This is a conference you won’t want to miss! Online registration is still available. Don’t miss out, register today! (Contact: Maggie Henley) 

Click here to view the full conference schedule. 
Click here to view the schedule by area of interest. 
Click here to register for the conference.  
 

IARF MEMBER APPRECIATION WEEK – FREE WEBINAR – STATION MD – TELEHEALTH EXPERTS FOR PERSONS WITH ID/DD 
IARF Member Appreciation Week starts on Monday, August 19th!  As one of the many ways our team will show appreciation to our members and the work they do changing lives every day, we are offering a free member webinar on Thursday, August 22 at 11:00 am (TIME CHANGE). 

WHO: StationMD CEO Matthew Kaufman, MD 
WHEN: Thursday, August 22 – 11:00 am 
HOW: IARF Zoom Webinar (details below): 
 
Join Zoom Meeting 
https://zoom.us/j/582998414  

"StationMD has immense experience taking care of individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). In addition, we are telehealth experts focusing on other populations with special-needs. Our staff is well versed in both residential and group-home settings. We tailor our process to meet the needs of the patients. This is true for individual residential alternatives (IRAs), intermediate care facilities (ICFs), as well as supportive apartments and day programs.” 

As noted in this February 2019 article from Crain’s New York, trained staff members at the adult homes use a wireless kiosk with a laptop, digital camera and electronic stethoscope to communicate with StationMD's emergency physicians. Doctors can evaluate patients and decide whether they should go to the ER or need a prescription. The program was piloted at two homes involved with the Staten Island Performing Provider System. The two facilities observed an 80% drop in emergency room visits 

(Contact: Josh Evans) 

HFS POSTS NEW PUBLIC NOTICE REGARDING ELIMINATION OF COST SHARING FOR TITLE XIX 
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has posted a new Public Notice regarding Elimination of Cost Sharing for Title XIX. You may view the new notice from the following link

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is proposing a change in the methods and standards of payment to providers. The proposed change is effective for dates of service September 1, 2019, and after. The Department of Healthcare and Family Services is proposing to eliminate the cost sharing for the Title XIX Medical Assistance population. The proposed change will increase expenditures by approximately $48 million. The proposed change is subject to approval by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and may be modified or revised during the approval process. The primary point of contact at the department is HFS.bpra@illinois.gov. (Contact: Luis Andrade) 

ANCOR: FEDERAL CMS ISSUES NEW EVV GUIDANCE AS A RESULT OF ANCOR’S ADVOCACY 
On 8/8/19, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an information bulletin to states providing guidance on the applicability of electronic visit verification (EVV) to certain disability supports. To ensure implementation did not adversely affect people with disabilities and the providers who support them, earlier this year ANCOR had asked for guidance from CMS clarifying that new EVV requirements do not apply to shared living / adult foster care / host home models. We are pleased to announce that CMS responded to that request, signaling a potentially significant relief for these supports. ANCOR is also working on a legislative fix to further clarify which supports are covered by the EVV rule. (Contact: Luis Andrade) 

SAVE THE DATE FOR NATCON20 
Don’t forget to save the date, mark your calendars, and prepare for a whole of lot Texas at NatCon20, April 5-7, 2020, at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas, the “Live Music Capital of the World.”  

Please note the first day of NatCon will be held on a Sunday. Registration and housing will open in early September. To learn more about NatCon20, contact the Conference Team! (Contact: Dan Frey) 

IAMHP’S ANNUAL CONFERENCE REGISTRATION OPEN 
The Illinois Association of Medicaid Health Plans (IAMHP)’s second annual conference us from September 24-26, 2019 at the Tinley Park Convention Center.  The conference is open to Medicaid providers, health systems, and/or advocacy groups or business vendors in healthcare.  This year breakout sessions will focus on five areas: Health Plan operations, Best Practices, Healthcare Social Determinants and Social Justice, Quality & Care Coordination, and Transforming Healthcare.  Click here to register if you are interested in attending.  (Contact: Dan Frey) 

NATIONAL COUNCIL WEBINAR ON SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS/SUBSTANCE ABUSE AUGUST 27 
The National Council on Behavioral Health is hosting a SAMHSA-sponsored webinar developed under contract by the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors and presented by the National Council for Behavioral Health, will take place Tuesday, August 27, 2019, at 1:30 p.m. ET called Serious Mental Illness/Substance Use Disorders and Tailoring FEP Programs to Serve Women. 

Register here: https://nasmhpd.adobeconnect.com/feptoservewomen_reg/event/event_info.html 

This webinar will explore how mental health and substance use treatment providers currently care for women with co-occurring first episode psychosis (FEP), serious mental illness (SMI), and substance use disorder (SUD) and what questions remain in relation to treating this population of women with complex presentations. Also of note is the high prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in women and the ways to address this in care. Specific observations from our treatment areas note that: (a) women are under-represented (SAMHSA TEDS Report – April 3, 2014), (b) women leave treatment early, and (c) care environments can be experienced by some women as re-traumatizing. Understanding processes that contribute to gender biases within the contexts of access and treatment is essential. The speakers will identify specific knowledge gaps and potential areas for improvement from a research and clinical standpoint. 

Presenters:  

  • Kirsten Bolton, MSW, Program Director, McLean OnTrack 

  • Kelly Carlson, Professional Development Specialist and Research Associate, McLean Hospital 

  • Carolyn Chance, RN, BSN, works in the Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorders Unit, McLean HospitaL 

(Contact: Dan Frey) 
 

NATIONAL COUNCIL SUBMITS COMMENTS ON REDUCING ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN IN MEDICAID AND MEDICARE 
Last week, the National Council submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on reducing administrative burden and allowing practitioners to focus on patients. The National Council highlighted the need to allow other behavioral health provider types to participate in Medicare, such as Licensed Professional Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists. The comments included several other specific steps to improve access to care and service delivery for patients. Read the comments in full here. (Contact: Dan Frey) 

MITC WEBINAR – 7 WAYS TO CAPTURE ATTENDANCE 
Another free webinar for Member Appreciation Week! Join MITC on Thursday afternoon at 1:00pm for a free webinar! 

WHO: MITC 
WHEN: Thursday, August 22 – 1:00PM 
HOW: Register here (webinar details below) 
 

Your time and attendance system may be hurting your agency and preventing the smooth delivery of services you provide. Trying to manage today’s workforce and clients with outdated tools drags down productivity, raises costs, increases your risk of noncompliance, and gets in the way of delivering services. In the era of managed care, fee-for-service, EVV, community-based services, and more, what worked yesterday does not work today and may hurt your agency in the future. There are 7 ways providers can capture attendance for staff and clients. Learn which technology is proven to work best in each program! Join us for a webinar on Thursday, August 29th at 1:00pm CDT to learn more about the 7 ways providers can capture attendance, and which is best for your agency. (Contact: Maggie Henley) 

BILLS OF INTEREST SIGNED INTO LAW

 








August 22, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

August 28, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CDT


September 4-6
Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel & Conference Center


Conversations Summit: Breaking the Silence on Mental Health Together
September 7
Chicago, IL

September 17 - 18





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Josh Evans - President & CEO  - jevans@iarf.org
Beth Owens - Vice President for Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Policy - bowens@iarf.org
Daniel M.O. Frey - Vice President for Behavioral Health Policy - dfrey@iarf.org  
Luis Andrade - Vice President of Health & Long-Term Care Policy - landrade@iarf.org 
Maggie Henley - Director of Member Services - mhenley@iarf.org
(217) 801-9303