- October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month
- IARF Webinar: Increase DSP Applications Online – Next Wednesday!
- IARF Meets with City Council to Discuss Minimum Wage Ordinance
- HFS Delays Integrated Health Home Implementation
- Amendments to OSFM Rules Effective January 1, 2019
- HFS Pushes Back Timeline to November 1st on Provider Enrollment Requirements
- Illinois receives $4.5 million for Medicaid Substance Use Disorder Treatment
- U.S. Department of Labor Issues Final Overtime Rule
- Direct Care Act Introduced in Congress
- Lawmakers Introduce Act to Update SSI Program
- Autism CARES Act Clears the U.S. Senate
- Registration is Now Open for the IABH Conference in St. Louis 10/23 - 10/25
- Register Now for the 2019 ANCOR Policy Summit and Hill Day 10/15 - 10-16 Washington D.C.
- NatCon20 Looking for Presentations
- Mental Health Presidential Candidate Forum September 27
OCTOBER IS NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH
National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is observed each October. NDEAM celebrates the contributions of workers with disabilities and educates the community about the value of a workforce inclusive of their skills and talents. The Department of Labor – Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) offers many resources to help plan NDEAM observances, including a poster in English and Spanish, sample articles, a press release and social media content. Information and resources about NDEAM can be found here on the ODEP website. (Contact: Beth Owens)
IARF WEBINAR: HOW TO INCREASE DSP APPLICATIONS ONLINE - NEXT WEDNESDAY!
Join us next Wednesday, October 2nd for the IARF Webinar: How to Increase DSP Applications Online presented by Scott de Fassalle & Craig de Fassalle with Blitz Media Design.
It’s time to stop worrying that DSP applicants think, “the pay is similar to McDonald’s, and you have to be responsible for someone’s life.”
You can find more people like your amazing DSPs that believe, “the pay is similar, and I get to change someone’s life as a DSP.”
After the session, you’ll understand:
- What to do to dramatically improve your job postings on sites like Indeed
- The first step to motivating the right people to apply
- Easy changes you can make to your website job application to get more applicants
This webinar is FREE to IARF Members. Please make sure to mark your calendar with the details below and don’t forget to join us on October 2nd. (Contact: Maggie Henley)
Webinar Details
TOPIC: Increase DSP Applications Online
WHO: Scott de Fassalle & Craig de Fassalle, Blitz Media Design
WHEN: Wednesday, October 2, 2019 │ 10:30 AM (CDT)
HOW: Zoom Webinar (details below)
JOIN ZOOM WEBINAR HERE: https://zoom.us/j/194851266
IARF MEETS WITH CITY COUNCIL TO DISCUSS MINIMUM WAGE ORDINANCE
On, 9/24/19, IARF participated in a productive meeting with Chicago City Council Members Alderwoman Sophia King (4th Ward) and Alderwoman Sadlowski-Garza (10th Ward), their staff, and staff from Mayor Lightfoot’s Office regarding Ordinance 2019-4153, which seeks to increase the minimum wage within the city of Chicago to $15/hr by 2021. This ordinance provides for a more aggressive timetable than is currently required by the state of Illinois, which mandates the minimum wage be $15/hr by 2025. The purpose of the meeting was to inform the Alderwoman and their staff on the effects of this expedited minimum wage increase on human services providers and the non-profit sector in Chicago.
The Alderwomen were very interested in hearing how the ordinance would affect our organizations and were particularly interested in data to support claims. To that end, if you are a provider in the City of Chicago, please fill out the following EXCEL CHART within the next 2 weeks, which provides IARF individual fiscal impacts on the effects of the ordinance. IARF will continue to be involved in all meetings going forward. (Contact: Luis Andrade)
HFS DELAYS IHH IMPLEMENTATION
At this week's IAMHP Conference, HFS confirmed that they are delaying plans for IHH implementation until March 1, 2020. Previously the goal had been January 1. This information was shared by Dr. Maria Bruni and later confirmed by HFS Director Theresa Eagleson. IARF continues to engage with HFS on outstanding questions on IHHs, and will aim to keep you updated as more information becomes available. (Contact Dan Frey)
AMENDMENTS TO OSFM RULES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2019
The amendments to OSFM rules have been adopted effective Jan 1, 2020. You can find the final rule text here. Additionally, the OSFM has released a “Life Safety Code Part 100 update Fact Sheet” for Residential Board and Care Facilities that includes frequently asked questions. This document can be found here. (Contact: Beth Owens)
HFS PUSHES BACK TIMELINE TO NOVEMBER 1st ON PROVIDER ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS
Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) sent another notice in follow up to the notice sent out on September 5th and the update sent on September 18th regarding the HFS policy change which requires all practitioners who order, refer, or prescribe Medicaid services to be enrolled through the Illinois Medicaid Program Advanced Cloud Technology (IMPACT) as a participating Physician, Dentist, Optometrist, Podiatrist, Advanced Practical Nurse or a Physician Assistant.
On September 23, 2019, HFS submitted another Provider Notice delaying the implementation of the ordering/referring/prescribing requirements one month, from October 1, 2019 to November 1, 2019. The September 23rd provider notice is located here. (Contact: Beth Owens)
ILLINOIS RECEIVES $4.5 MILLION FOR MEDICAID SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT
Illinois will receive $4.5 million from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to examine and improve substance use disorder treatment strategies for Medicaid members. The funds will launch an 18-month assessment with stakeholders to determine better responses to the healthcare needs of Medicaid members, specifically for substance use disorder treatment and recovery support, according to a statement. That work will include determining ways to improve the state's infrastructure and capacity, as well as to reduce gaps in treatment. (Contact: Dan Frey)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ISSUES FINAL OVERTIME RULE
On 9/27/19, the Department of Labor issued its final DOL Overtime Rule (you'll remember that the last attempt at updated the overtime threshold was in the Obama Administration and that was halted by the courts). The new threshold will be $35,568 (going from $455 per week to $684 per week) and it will allow the inclusion of bonuses and incentive payments up to 10%. The new rule will become effective January 1, 2020. More information is below including a link to the final rule.
DOL Announcement
Final rule
IARF is working to provide resources for members to ensure they are effectively compliant with the final rule. (Contact: Luis Andrade)
DIRECT CARE ACT INTRODUCED IN CONGRESS
On September 19, Senators Kaine and Hassan and Representatives Scott and Lee introduced the Direct Creation, Advancement, and Retention of Employment (CARE) Opportunity Act (S.2521/H.R.4397). This bill addresses the need for a prepared, well-trained, and empowered direct care workforce now and for the future. The Direct CARE Opportunity Act:
- Provides funding to at least 15 entities to invest in strategies to recruit, retain and advance the direct care workforce pipeline
- Implements models and strategies to make the field of direct care more attractive, such as training, career pathways, or mentoring, allowing for local and regional innovation to address workforce shortages and needs in a high-demand field
- Encourages retention and career advancement in the growing field of direct care
- Responds to the needs of a growing aging population and allows older Americans, people with disabilities, and others who require direct care services to remain in their communities, when possible
- Supports the health and wellbeing of those who need and rely on direct care services, helping to prevent costlier institutional care.
IARF anticipates discussing this bill during our Hill Visits next month! (Contact: Beth Owens)
LAWMAKERS INTRODUCE ACT TO UPDATE SSI PROGRAM
The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act of 2019, or H.R. 4280 was introduced by Representatives Grijalva and Slotkin in Congress earlier this month. Social Security’s SSI program has remained largely static since 1972. Under the Act several updates to the program’s eligibility rules will be made. Currently proposed changes include:
- Individuals will be able to save up to $10,000 and couples will be able to save up to $20,000 without losing benefits.
- Individuals will be able to receive up to $123 monthly from other sources, such as Social Security benefits or pension payments without a corresponding loss in benefits.
- Individuals who are able to work will be able to earn up to $399 a month without being penalized.
- Individuals who live in households with others, including family members, will no longer be penalized with lower benefits through the in-kind support and maintenance provision. ƒ Individuals who transfer assets (even small amounts of money to a family member) will no longer suffer harsh penalties.
- Couples will receive their full SSI benefit, totaling twice the individual rate, rather than a reduced marriage penalty rate. (Contact: Beth Owens)
AUTISM CARES ACT CLEARS U.S. SENATE
On September 19, the Senate unanimously approved the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education and Support, or Autism CARES Act. This bill, which includes more than $1.8 billion for federal efforts to address the needs of people with disabilities, now heads to the President for his signature. The bill, H.R. 1058, ensures funding for research, prevalence tracking, screening, professional training, and other government activities related to autism. It renews existing federal law that originated in 2006 for another five years. (Contact: Luis Andrade)
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR THE IABH CONFERENCE IN ST. LOUIS 10/23 - 10/25
The Missouri Coalition for Community Behavioral Healthcare and Illinois Association for Behavioral Health would like to invite you to join us for this year's conference in St. Louis on October 23-25, 2019. Attend workshops, gain information, and network with behavioral health professionals. Register at the following
LINK. (Contact: Luis Andrade)
REGISTER NOW FOR THE 2019 ANCOR POLICY SUMMIT & HILL DAY 10/15 - 10-16 IN WASHINGTON D.C.
Your voice and presence is critical to our movement to bettering services, employment opportunities, and community inclusion efforts for people with disabilities. Join us at the 2019 ANCOR Policy Summit & Hill Day, October 15 & 16, in Washington, DC as we learn, strategize, network, share, organize, and advocate! Come to Washington and let us show you how your advocacy can make a difference! In addition to an incredibly helpful and well-connected government relations team, you'll also have access to state navigators with decades of experience on Capitol Hill. We'll equip you with the expertise, scheduling, directions, and collateral you need to make a genuine impact in DC! Register at the following
LINK. (Contact: Luis Andrade)
NATCON20 LOOKING FOR PRESENTATIONS
NatCon is known for ground-breaking presentations on the most significant innovations in finance, integrated health care, technology, and professional development. Now is your chance to share your innovative thinking with a nationwide audience of your peers. For NatCon20, the National Council is inviting leaders in evidence-based, data-driven research from across the behavioral health field to submit their bold, game-changing ideas that will:
- Reflect our dynamic community
- Benefit attendees’ professional need
- Present learning objectives that are measurable and achievable
- Demonstrate strong outcomes
- Inspire attendees to implement what they’ve learned
Submit a proposal to be considered for the general conference, the second annual Research Symposium, or the all-new NatCon Technology Shark Tank, where you could win $10,000. Submit your proposal by October 4, or contact the National Council for Behavioral Health to learn more. (Contact Dan Frey)
MENTAL HEALTH PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE FORUM SEPTEMBER 27
Mental Health for US, a non-partisan educational organization uplifting mental health and addiction policy, is hosting a presidential candidate debate focused specifically on mental health and substance use issues.
Below is info they shared for your reference. They will be streaming live on Facebook and are encouraging watch parties. Happy Friday!
“In less than a month, top presidential candidates will make their way to Iowa for the #MentalHealthforUS Presidential Candidate Forum on Sept. 27 6-9pm CST. Find out how you can hear what they have to say LIVE 👉🏼 https://bit.ly/33WIWB2
We’re bringing together presidential candidates and our community to talk about some of the most urgent issues facing the nation today: mental health and addiction. Candidates will discuss their plans and voters will ask their most pressing questions about these issues ahead of the Iowa caucuses. We hope you’ll join us!” (Contact Dan Frey)
