IARF ADVOCACY DAY – MARCH 25, 2020
IARF invites members to join us in Springfield on March 25th for the IARF Advocacy Day! Set aside time to have your voice heard by legislators. The IARF Advocacy Day offers an opportunity to learn about the state legislative process and also an opportunity to visit your state legislators to educate them about our industry and how we positively impact the lives of their constituents.
The morning will start with advocacy training and a discussion of current bills impacting our industry. After a briefing at the Illinois State Library, members will head over to the Capitol to visit their state legislators.
IARF Advocacy Day Agenda: March 25, 2020
9:30 AM – Gather at Illinois State Library
9:45 AM – Welcome & Schedule Overview
10:00 AM – How to Talk to Legislators 101
10:30 AM – Legislation/Capitol Geography Overview
11:00 AM – To the Capitol!
RSVP HERE
To learn more about how you can participate and to RSVP for the IARF Advocacy Day in Springfield on March 25th, click here. (Contact: All Staff)
IARF WEBINAR SERIES: WORKERS’ COMPENSATION CLAIMS FROM SUBMISSION TO CLOSURE STARTS MARCH 31
IARF is excited to present the webinar series, Workers’ Compensation Claims from Submission to Closure! In this 4-part Workers’ Compensation webinar series, we will engage in a comprehensive discussion of Workers’ Compensation claims. Employers will learn how to manage, communicate, and obtain information from their injured employee, the treating doctor, and the claims adjuster. The courses will follow a claim from the initial reporting through settlement to give the employer a better understanding of the interworking of the entire claims process. Click here to learn more about the webinar series and to see all courses offered.
The first webinar in the series, WC-101: Understanding the Basics of a Workers’ Compensation Claim, will be held on Tuesday, March 31st at 10:00am. In course 101, we will briefly discuss the history of Workers’ Compensation to understand how the current system of benefits came into existence. Our journey into the claims process will start with a discussion on compensability and what that means for the employer. Lastly, we will head down the path of what to do when an employee reports an injury, how to facilitate medical treatment, and working with modified duty restrictions.
At the end of this webinar, attendees will:
- Understand how we came to have our current system of Workers’ Compensation benefits.
- Understand what is meant by the term compensable, in a Workers’ Compensation claim.
- How to manage the initial reporting of a workplace injury.
Webinars in this series are FREE for IARF members to attend! To register for the first webinar, click here. (Contact: Maggie Henley)
HFS RELEASES UPDATED UNIVERSAL PDL
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has posted an updated Medicaid Preferred Drug List. You may view the new list here. (Contact Dan Frey)
IARF RENEWS PARTNERSHIP WITH MITC IN 2020
IARF is pleased to announce that our partnership with MITC will continue in 2020. MITC’s Agency Workforce Management is used by hundreds of providers across the USA and Canada for Time and Attendance, Scheduling, Documentation, Communications HR, Applicant Management, Training and more!
“Providers in Illinois managing Group Home, HCBS, Day and Vocational programs use Agency Workforce Management. MITC greatly values the relationship with providers like IARF. It is through listening to and collaborating with providers that software becomes more and more valuable to agencies” said John Graham, MITC CEO and Software Architect.
“In 2020 we want to take collaboration to a new level. Agency Workforce Management will include a new application “Client Profiles” for tracking individual Demographics, Preferences, Community Supports Network, Functional Limitations, Physical Limitations, Disabilities, Medications, Medical Condition, Allergies, Exams, Immunizations, Contacts and more. If any providers in Illinois want to collaborate in our Early Adopter program, let me know” said Steve Poddo, MITC Special Projects Manager. “Providers receive a free copy of the software for 12 months, free training and get to work one-on-one with software developers on the new software.”
“MITC’s continual improvement of its applications demonstrates its commitment to assisting IARF members gather crucial data about our workforce and the individuals and families served,” said Josh Evans, IARF President & CEO. “The more equipped providers are to make data driven decisions, the better outcomes will likely be for individuals and families served.”
To learn more about MITC, click here. (Contact: Maggie Henley)
REGISTER TODAY FOR THE 4TH ANNUAL TEC CONFERENCE
We've known that assistive technology should play an important part in the lives of people with disabilities for a long time. Now, more than ever, technology "levels the playing field" for people with disabilities - it promotes independence, breaks down barriers, and fosters inclusion.
The TEC Conference is no ordinary event. We believe in providing practical recommendations and affordable solutions. We also believe in connecting professionals with the tools, resources, and expertise they need to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the people they support. We've learned that the best way to accomplish these goals is by giving attendees a hands-on experience. Register today to experience the difference!
Early bird registration discounts are available through April 3rd. Additional discounts are available for IARF members with a discount code available in the members only section of the IARF website.
Click here to learn more about the 4th Annual TEC Conference and register today! (Contact: Maggie Henley)
Event Details:
4th Annual TEC Conference
Date: June 3, 2020
Hours: 8AM - 7PM
Location: NIU Campus in Naperville, IL
IAMHP BEHAVIORAL HEALTH BILLING WEBINAR FOR IARF MEMBERS NEXT WEEK
On Friday, March 13th at 11:00 am the Association will host the IAMHP Mental Health Billing Webinar for IARF Members. The IAMHP Mental Health Billing Webinar is designed to provide guidance to contracted Medicaid managed care providers on billing for services to Medicaid beneficiaries. This webinar only applies to Health Choice Illinois Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) and for services provided to Medicaid beneficiaries in Medicaid-only programs (e.g. FHP, ACA, ICP and LTSS populations). It does NOT apply to dually- eligible beneficiaries in the Medicare Medicaid Alignment Initiative (MMAI) program.
In this webinar you will learn about:
- Minimum Claim Requirements
- Electronic Claim Submission vs. Paper Claim Submission
- Timely Filing Requirements by MCO
- Prior Authorization
- Mental Health Billing Specifics
Click here to register today! Registration is restricted to IARF members and members will need to login to register. (Contact: Maggie Henley)
LEADERSHIP STRATEGIES FOR RETENTION FROM DAY 1 WEBINAR RECORDING NOW AVAILABLE
Last week, IARF hosted a members' only webinar on Recruitment Strategies for Retention from Day 1, presented by Scott de Fasselle with Blitz Media Design. During the webinar, Scott discussed how to get buy-in from your team to make changes, ways to start using existing staff and resources to improve retention of new DSPs today, and what you can learn from LEGO to retain new employees.
Members who were unable to attend the live webinar can access the recording in the members only section of the IARF Website under webinar recordings. Login is required to access the members only section. If you need assistance with obtaining your login information, contact mhenley@iarf.org. (Contact: Maggie Henley)
ICDD CALL FOR INVESTMENT: COMPETITIVE PAY AND MEANINGFUL DAYS IN CHICAGO
ICDD has announced a Call for Investment: Competitive Pay and Meaningful Days in Chicago. This Call for Investment is specifically targeted to providers in the city of Chicago which currently have employees paid subminimum wages under 14(C). The Council has a total of up to $175,000 for a minimum of 2 investments and the project period will be 2 years. Interested applicants should RSVP for the March 19th informational meeting to Mariel Hamer at Mariel.Hamer@illinois.gov by 5 pm, March 11, 2020.
ICDD is looking for innovative and collaborative proposals that include strong data collection as a component of the project. Questions related to this Call for Investment or any IARF agencies interested in possible collaboration with another IARF agency should contact Beth Owens, bowens@iarf.org. (Contact: Beth Owens)
IARF COMMENTS ON REVISED HCBS STATEWIDE TRANSITION PLAN (STP)
AS many of you are aware, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) published revisions to the proposed HCBS STP for public comment for the first time since 2019. IARF submitted comments on the STP on behalf of our membership. Feedback from a member call and the February I/DD Committee was utilized in developing the comment letter. The STP is among the most important documents to community-based services and supports, as it “governs” how our state will ensure regulations and policies are compliant with federal HCBS rules. Illinois remains among the small handful of states that has yet to receive initial approval of its plan by federal CMS. (Contact: Beth Owens)
THE FUNDAMENTALS OF RESPITE CARE WEBINAR
The ARC is hosting “The Fundamentals of Respite Care” webinar on Mar 10, 2020 from Noon to 1:00 PM CDT. Tina Yurik, presenter for this webinar, is the Director of the Illinois Respite Coalition. The Illinois Respite Coalition (IRC) provides statewide information and referral to individuals across the lifespan. The IRC also has a DHS-funded in-home respite grant that serves 16 counties. When funded, the IRC also has a statewide emergency respite program. The IRC is built upon statewide partnerships.
This webinar will cover the following related to Respite Care:
- What is respite care?
- Why use respite care services?
- What are the different kinds of respite?
- How to choose/ select the respite that is right for you
- Overcoming concerns
- Preparing the care recipient for respite
- Evaluating your respite care
- Things to consider
- Quick Tips
Registration for the webinar can be found HERE. (Contact: Beth Owens)
RECOGNIZING THE ROLE OF DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS ACT INTRODUCED IN US HOUSE AND SENATE
Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act is a bipartisan bill that was introduced in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives on Monday aimed at changing the way that the government categorizes direct support professionals. Currently, DPS’s are lumped in with home health care aides in the system used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to monitor workforce trends. The legislation directs the White House Office of Management and Budget to create a new code in the federal Standard Occupational Classification system for “direct support personnel.” Link to full article. (Contact: Beth Owens)
SUPPORTING AND ENGAGING SIBLINGS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES WEBINAR FOR PROVIDERS
Supporting and Engaging Siblings of Individuals with Disabilities Webinar for Providers will be held on March 18, 2020 at 1 pm. The target audience for this webinar is Service Providers working with people with developmental disabilities and their families. Participants will learn about the important role of siblings and how to collaborate with siblings. Brothers and sisters often have the longest relationships of their lives with each other but their experiences, input, and needs are often overlooked. There are many benefits to partnering with siblings including increased family engagement, better outcomes for the person with disabilities, and sibling needs being met. Further information and registration for the webinar can be found HERE. (Contact: Beth Owens)
UIC AND SPECIAL OLYMPICS SEEK RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago and Special Olympics are interested in the experiences of adults with intellectual disabilities have with inclusive information resources such as videos or leaflets on health. Participants need to be Special Olympics participants with an intellectual disability that are at least 18 years of age or older. Those that wish to participate will need to attend two focus groups at the University of Illinois at Chicago with other Special Olympics athletes and researchers. Participants will receive a $25 gift card at each focus group and $10 to pay for parking and transportation to each group. For more information on participation please contact Lieke van Heuman at (312) 413-5557 or lvhueman@uic.edu. (Contact: Beth Owens)
NEARLY $23 MILLION IN GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR MHFA
In late December, the federal government appropriated nearly $23 million in funding for Mental Health First Aid projects in FY 2020. Grant applications are now available, and we encourage eligible organizations to apply for grants that are appropriate to their needs.
The Project AWARE state education agency (SEA) grants will help expand MHFA in school settings and get young people the mental health and substance use support they need.
Your response to new funding opportunities will help expand this critical program and get people the mental health and substance use support they need. If you are considering submitting an application, be sure to complete the registration process immediately. The National Council for Behavioral Health created a special web page with information that will help you learn how to use this opportunity to get funding for your Mental Health First Aid Program.
IARF encourages all interested to apply. If you do, please let us know! Together, we can #BeTheDifference with Mental Health First Aid. (Contact Dan Frey)
SHO LETTER: ACCESS TO MH & SUD SERVICES IN CHIP
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a State Health Official (SHO) letter that provides guidance to states on a new congressionally-mandated behavioral health coverage benefit for separate Children Health Insurance Programs (CHIPs). This SHO provides guidance to states with separate CHIPs on the actions necessary to implement the requirements of section 5022 of the SUPPORT Act (effective October 24, 2019). The majority of states have elected to provide some behavioral health coverage to their separate CHIP populations; however, states will need to review their behavioral health benefit array in the context of this new requirement.
States will now be required to:
- Provide coverage of all the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)/Bright Futures recommended behavioral health screenings and all U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) behavioral health recommendations with a Grade of A or B.
- Provide an array of behavioral health benefits that is sufficient to treat a broad range of behavioral health conditions.
- Cover Medication Assistance Treatment for Opioid Use Disorders (OUDs) and tobacco cessation.
- Identify a strategy to facilitate the use of validated age-appropriate screening tools. These tools are used to detect a particular concern or condition.
- Identify a strategy to facilitate the use of validated clinical assessment tools. These tools are used to determine a diagnosis, evaluate the current level of functioning and develop treatment recommendations.
- Submit a title XXI CHIP SPA to demonstrate compliance with Section 5022 of the SUPPORT Act.
State Health Official (SHO) Letter: Access to Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services for Children and Pregnant Women in the Children’s Health Insurance Program.(Contact: Dan Frey)
ICF/IID AND MC/DD 3.5% RATE INCREASE EFFECTIVE AUGUST 1, 2019
This Notice informs Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IIDs), Medically Complex for the Developmentally Disabled Facilities (MC/DDs), and associated Developmental Training providers that the Department received federal approval to implement the rate increases specified in Public Act 101-0010. The 3.5% rate increases are effective August 1, 2019.
Updated rates have been entered into the State’s payment system and the Department has systematically repriced claims that were paid at lower rates. Vouchers for the payment adjustments were generated and sent to the Comptroller this week. All newly submitted claims are being priced using the updated rates.
Please note that the rate increases, and subsequent payment adjustments, include developmental training service rates as well. The payment adjustments for these services will need to be passed on to the appropriate developmental training agency within 10 days as specified in administrative rule at 89 Ill. Adm. Code 140.646(d).
If you have questions, contact the Bureau of Long Term Care toll free at 844-528-8444. (Contact Dan Frey)
RECOVERY & EMPOWERMENT STATEWIDE CALL MARCH 26
Please plan to join on March 26, 2020 for our next Recovery & Empowerment Statewide Call for 2020! Our theme this year is "2020 Vision for Ourselves!” These educational forums place an emphasis on sharing successful tools and strategies for wellness. This month's focus is "Recognizing Our Voices Matter!”
Individuals are welcome to dial in from a personal phone or from home. However, if dialing in from an agency or other organization, to help reduce the cost, please gather and dial-in together. Remember to provide the moderator with your name, the agency you are representing (if applicable), and the number of persons listening in from your location.
ABOUT THIS MONTH'S CALL:
DATE: March 26, 2020
TIME: 10:00am - 11:00am
TOPIC: Recognizing Our Voices Matter
OBJECTIVES: Participants will learn: The definition of systems-advocacy and self- advocacy; how to educate ourselves on what we need and effectively communicate our needs; and ways to advocate for others as a group.
DIAL-IN NUMBER: 1-844-867-6167 [Note: New number and access code required for 2020]
ACCESS CODE: 4360050
MEETING TITLE: Recovery & Empowerment Statewide Call
SPEAKERS: Kathryn Dittemore, Tanya Cooley, and AJ French
(Contact Dan Frey)
KENNEDY FORUM ANNUAL MEETING SET FOR OCTOBER 6
This year, the Sixth Annual Kennedy Forum Meeting on October 6th, 2020 will unite leaders in communications, media, advocacy, and activism to explore best practices and define a clear path forward. Save the date and stay tuned. (Contact Dan Frey)
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN SERVING AS AN INTEGRATED HEALTH HOME?
As the targeted launch on July 1 of the Integrated Health Home (IHH) approaches, there are ways to begin the process 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)
VOTE YES FOR FAIR TAX SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS
As you probably know, IARF is part of the movement to bring tax fairness to Illinois with the Fair Tax, which is on the ballot in November. As part of the Fair Tax fight, we are part of the Vote Yes for Fair Tax campaign, which has just launched its website and social channels. We need your help in growing these important assets, so I am asking you to do three quick things:
- Head to yesforfairtax.org and sign up for the email list
- Like us on Facebook
- Follow us on Twitter
Once you’re all signed up, please feel free to share the Fair Tax content from these channels. Together we can make sure Illinoisans understand the importance of the Fair Tax and pass this critical change in November! (Contact Dan Frey)
NEW EMPLOYMENT LAWS EVERY EMPLOYER SHOULD KNOW WORKSHOP – IARF MEMBERS REGISTER FREE
IARF has partnered with The Horton Group to offer the New Employment Laws Every Employer Must Know in Illinois Workshop to IARF members FREE! The workshop will be offered on both March 10 in Naperville and March 11 in Orland Park. Please see full details below.
Many new laws and regulations significantly impacting companies, and their employees became effective in 2020. Employment attorney Ashley L. Orler from Golan Christie Taglia LLP will provide a detailed review on three of these new laws and regulations, including information on what employers must know to comply.
Topics covered during the session will include:
- Recreational and Medical Marijuana
- Changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act
- Mandated Sexual Harassment training
March 10, Naperville, IL - REGISTER HERE
March 11, Orland Park, IL - REGISTER HERE
April 15, Hoffman Estates, IL - REGISTER HERE
Event Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
CE Credits: 2.0 HRCI | SHRM 2.0 | Pending 2.0 CLE
A promo code is required during registration to receive the discount. The code is available in the members only section of the IARF website or members can contact Maggie Henley directly to receive the code. (Contact: Maggie Henley)
