Table of Contents:

• IARF Welcomes New Members – CTF Illinois and Illinois MENTOR
• Negotiators Far Apart on Fourth COVID Relief Package
• DSP Magnet Online Workshop for IARF Members in August 
• DDD Announces Payment Adjustments for Providers on Advance and Reconcile
• IARF Hosts Virtual Town Hall with Illinois Congressman Rodney Davis
• Registration Now Open for CRSS Session 3 and 4
• SAHMSA/NatCon Webinar August 11
• Medicaid & CHIP Portal Extension
• Bi-Weekly DMH Sector Meeting Recap
• Meridian Health Announces Student Samsung Chromebook Grant Program
• NAMI Chicago Conducting Needs Assessment Survey
• Vote Yes For Fair Tax Organizational Sign-On
• HRS Webinar: The Fatal Five + Covid-19 – How to identify and prevent
• 90 Day Bed Hold Payment Issues for DD Providers
• Division Issues Reminder to CILA Providers to Request Site IDs
• Final DD Information Bulletins Posted
• Are You Interested in Serving as an Integrated Health Home?
• Georgia Appendix K Amended to Include Virtual Day Services

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IARF WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS – CTF ILLINOIS AND ILLINOIS MENTOR
IARF would like to welcome two of our newest members, CTF Illinois and Illinois MENTOR, to the Association!
 
CTF ILLINOIS is dedicated to empowering individuals with developmental disabilities and mental illness to LIVE. WORK. ADVOCATE. They offer a wide range of programs and services and striving to meet the needs and choices of each individual they serve. They support individuals and their families by providing personalized planning and various resources to assist them in creating their life-long journey. CTF’s services include residential and home-based services, lifestyle supports, and work services. Learn more here.
 
Illinois MENTOR is a trusted provider of home and community-based human services. They offer a variety of individualized supports for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including case management, day habilitation, and other services through personalized services; Host Home, Supported Living, and In-Home Supports. In addition, Illinois MENTOR provides Community Integrated Living Arrangements (CILAs).  Learn more here.
 
We are thrilled to have both the CTF and IL MENTOR teams as members of IARF and look forward to having them as a part of our member and committee discussions! (Contact: All Staff)

NEGOTIATORS FAR APART ON FOURTH COVID-19 RELIEF PACKAGE
As we head into the weekend – and what is typically the August Congressional recess, caucus leadership and the White House remain at an impasse on the fourth COVID-19 relief package.  As we updated members earlier this week, the priorities of the HEALS Act and HEROES Act lay markers in the sand that make for hard negotiations, however, the expiration of unemployment benefits and concerning economic forecasts add more pressure on Congress to reach a deal. 
 
For our part, it remains important that members communicate with the offices of Senators Duckworth and Durbin on I/DD and BH priorities to be included in a final, negotiated package.  We remain hopeful and confident agreement will be reached in August. (Contact: Josh Evans)

DSP MAGNET ONLINE WORKSHOP FOR IARF MEMBERS IN AUGUST 
On August 25^th and 26^th IARF is hosting a members-only workshop, DSP Magnet Online Workshop. This two-part, interactive workshop delivers immediate help with recruitment, retention, and culture. During the workshop, attendees will get:  

• Simple tools to take back to their organizations to quick take action on what they’ve learned. 
• Clear next steps on how to rewrite their DSP job post so they can attract more applicants. 
• A map of the first few days on the job through the new employee’s eyes. Attendees will have clear and simple next steps to improve the experience for new employees. 

This workshop is provided free of charge for IARF Members and login is required for registration. Click here to learn more and register! (Contact: Maggie Henley) 

DDD ANNOUNCES PAYMENT ADJUSTMENTS FOR PROVIDERS ON ADVANCE AND RECONCILE
CILA providers on advance and reconcile payments have been advised that July and August advance CILA payments are overstated and overpaid by approximately 25 percent (as described below).  CILA providers on advance and reconcile will see a recoupment of these funds when billing for actual CILA services for July and August are submitted.
 
The following explains the overpayment impacting providers on advance and reconcile:

1.  July and August Advance CILA Payments were generated when the May and June billing was completed.  The rates in effect for May and June included additional staffing for coverage of the traditionally unfunded hours for attendance at community day services, and a COVID-19 rate increase of 10%.
2.  July and August actual rates have been adjusted to return to normal residential hours of funding, and the COVID-19 premium of 10% has been reduce to 5%.
3. CILA Providers can, as of July 1, potentially bill 37U for up to 5 hours a day when an individual is participating in At-Home day program.
4. In the future, CILA Rates will be adjusted retroactively by $1.00 Wage Reimbursement after Federal CMS approval is received. This is not reflected at this time.
5. There is no impact on CILA providers that are on post-payment. They will receive the correct remittance when their agency submits billing for July and August CILA services. 

CILA providers always have the option of switching from advance and reconcile to post- payment.  Please see the posted Information Bulletin HERE for further information. (contact: Beth Owens)

IARF HOSTS VIRTUAL TOWN HALL WITH ILLINOIS CONGRESSMAN RODNEY DAVIS
On Monday, July 27, 2020, IARF hosted a Virtual Town Hall meeting with Congressman Rodney Davis (R-IL 13th). There was an excellent discussion with the Congressman on a myriad of issues facing the states I/DD and BH systems as a result of COVID-19. IARF was also able to glean information regarding ongoing federal negotiations on the forthcoming federal legislative package the HEALS Act. IARF believes reinforcing support for I/DD and BH services are critically important during this time and will continue to advocate for IARF membership before all elected officials. Look out for additional IARF Virtual Town Halls in the forthcoming weeks. (Contact: Luis Andrade)

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR CRSS SESSION 3 AND 4
IDHS/DMH is pleased to announce that registration is now open for CRSS Competency Training Sessions 3 & 4. There are 5 options for each Session (reduced from 6 last time, based on attendance data). This allows the capacity to be limited for each time slot and also provides sufficient training slots to accommodate the average number of trainees previously hosted annually statewide.

Session 3: (Register for only one in this section) To register click on the training date and time you wish to attend, it will open up the registration page. If a training is full please select another date and/or time.
 
Mon. August 17, 9am-12pm
Mon. August 17, 1pm-4pm
Wed. August 19, 9am-12pm
Fri. August 21, 9am-12pm
Fri. August 21, 1pm-4pm
 
Session 4: (Register for only one in this section) To register click on the training date and time you wish to attend, it will open up the registration page. If a training is full please select another date and/or time.
 
Mon. August 31, 9am-12pm
Mon. August 31, 1pm-4pm
Wed. September 2, 9am-12pm
Fri. September 4, 9am-12pm
Fri. September 4, 1pm-4pm
(Contact: Dan Frey)

SAMHSA/NATCON WEBINAR AUGUST 11
A SAMHSA sponsored webinar presented by the National Council for Behavioral Health, will take place Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. Central Time called “A Whole Person Approach to Working with Individuals who are living with Serious Mental Illness.” You can register by clicking here.NA
  
This webinar will discuss strategies for developing and implementing a whole person approach when serving individuals who are living with serious mental illness (SMI). Key considerations include access to basic needs and social determinants of health when treating and managing SMI; access to community-based supports to reduce barriers to resources; and access to peer support through Warm Lines and other crisis service systems. (Contact: Dan Frey)

MEDICAID & CHIP PORTAL EXTENSION
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), announced that it will begin distributing $10 billion in a second round of high impact COVID-19 area funding to hospitals starting next week. Additionally, HHS announced that it is extending the Medicaid and CHIP Provider Relief Fund distribution provider application deadline to apply to August 3, 2020.
 
In June, HHS announced the opening of the application period and plans to distribute approximately $15 billion to eligible providers that participate in state Medicaid and CHIP programs who had not yet received a payment from the $50 billion General Distribution. Since the announcement on June 9, HHS has hosted a number of webinars targeted at providers and provider organizations to answer questions and assist those eligible through the application process. A fact sheet - PDF explaining the application process has also been created to address frequently asked questions. You can view the full announcement here. (Contact: Dan Frey)

BI-WEEKLY DMH SECTOR MEETING RECAP
Last week, IARF, along with our fellow behavioral health trades CBAH, IABH, and ICOY along with the Illinois Health & Hospital Association met with DMH Director Albert and his staff for the second of now regularly scheduled bi-weekly behavioral health sector meetings.  Along with a presentation from ICOY on their Medicaid Technical Assistance Center (MTAC), there was discussion on DMH’s ongoing strategic planning process, FY 21 DMH grant payments, consideration of eliminating the Ohio and Columbia Scales now that we have the IM+CANS, streamlining duplicative registration processes, how DHS plans to spend funds from the State Coronavirus Urgent Remediation Emergency Fund allocated for providers, and DMH’s thoughts on expanding its role in helping address social determinants of health.  The next such meeting is scheduled to occur in early August.  (Contact: Dan Frey)

MERIDIAN HEALTH ANNOUNCES STUDENT SAMSUNG CHROMEBOOK GRANT PROGRAM
Meridian Health has announced a new grant opportunity for organizations that serve Illinois’ low-income families and children.  As the new school year approaches and COVID-19 is still a reality throughout Illinois, most schools will open with part-time or full-time remote e-learning. 

In response, Meridian Health will be donating approximately 1200 Samsung Chromebooks to support e-learning needs for school age children.  Providers and community partners that serve low-income children and families are eligible to apply for the devices on behalf of the children and/or families they serve. Receipt of devices is not limited to Meridian Health members.  The Chromebooks will be available to organizations across the state of Illinois and will be distributed equitably to all regions of the state.

Providers and community-based organizations are asked to complete this “Student E-Learning Device” grant application. The application includes items such as Provider/Requestor contact information, number of devices requested, demonstration of need, and student selection and distribution process.   Applications must be received by August 14^th and grantees will be notified by August 28^th.   Questions and completed applications can be submitted to CommunityGrants@mhplan.com (Contact: Dan Frey)

NAMI CHICAGO CONDUCTING NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEY
NAMI Chicago is conducting a needs assessment survey, which helps understand the gaps and opportunities for the mental health system in Chicago and Illinois.
 
NAMI Chicago is asking for your help to lift up diverse mental health experiences by completing and sharing our survey with your agency’s staff and community.
 
The survey is available in English or Spanish.
 
NAMI Chicago’s community survey closes August 31st, 2020. IARF will be happy to share the report of when it is completed in the fall. (Contact: Dan Frey)
 
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. (Contact: Dan Frey)

HRS WEBINAR: THE FATAL FIVE + COVID-19 – HOW TO IDENTIFY AND PREVENT
Join HRS, Inc. on August 19^th for The Fatal Five + Covid-19 Webinar. Learn how to reduce risk of death in people with disabilities! This webinar covers the Fatal Five conditions that are widely known to be preventable causes of illness and death in people with intellectual and developmental disabilities PLUS two more important conditions.

How to identify and prevent:

• Bowel Obstruction
• Aspiration
• Dehydration
• Seizures
• Sepsis
• + Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
• + COVID-19

90 DAY BED HOLD PAYMENT ISSUES FOR DD PROVIDERS
The DDD has reported some cases where the payment system did not calculate CILA billing correctly and providers did not receive payment for days 61 through 90 of CILA bed hold payments. If your agency believes there is an inaccurate payment of bed hold days for an individual previously granted a 90 days bed hold please contact George Bengel at George.Bengel@Illinois.gov with the following information: Individual’s name, social security number, date Bed Hold started, month(s) you believe Bed Hold did not properly calculate, agency name and agency contact information.  The Division is working with IT staff to determine the extent of the problem and correct it. (Contact: Beth Owens)

DIVISION ISSUES REMINDER TO CILA PROVIDERS TO REQUEST SITE IDs
CILA Providers are reminded that ALL CILA sites require a DD Site ID Number, issued by the Division of Developmental Disabilities. This is necessary for an ISC to submit a CILA funding request to the DDD.  DD Site IDs are separate from the approval and Site ID issued by the Bureau of Accreditation, Licensure and Certification (BALC), which is not within the Division.  DD Site IDs are required for all CILA sites including, but not limited to, Individually controlled sites, Intermittent and Family Intermittent CILA.  The process and a link to the DD Site ID Request form are posted in an Information Bulletin found HERE.  The DD Site ID Request does not contain any information that requires encryption.  The completed form can be emailed to Maria.Prewitt@Illinois.Gov. (Contact: Beth Owens)

FINAL DD INFORMATION BULLETINS POSTED
The Division of Developmental Disabilities posted two Information Bulletins (IB) on July 27, 2020 that were previously released in draft form.  These IB’s include At-Home Day Program (37U) Use Effective 7/1/20 (DD.20.011) and CDS Operations Under COVID-19 (DD.20.012).  As you may recall, both of these documents were reviewed and discussed in a previous IARF I/DD Committee meeting.  Please contact Beth Owens with any comments or questions related to these IB’s. (Contact: Beth Owens)

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)

GEORGIA APPENDIX K AMENDED TO INCLUDE VIRTUAL DAY SERVICES
In response to concerns about the risk of exposure in congregate settings, the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) developed an Amendment to their approved Appendix K Emergency Plan for Georgia’s four Medicaid Waiver Programs.  CMS has recently approved their Amendment which allows, among many things, providers to provide Community Day Services virtually.  You can view Georgia’s plan HERE.  (Contact: Beth Owens)