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July 7, 2021
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
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BETTER CARE BETTER JOBS ACT PROPOSES MAJOR INVESTMENT IN HCBS
Late last week details emerged on the historic Better Care Better Jobs Act, legislation filed in both the U.S. Senate and Congress outlining the ten-year plan to invest $400 billion into caregiving and HCBS services and supports.  ANCOR has been at the forefront in working with Congressional offices on this plan, carrying forward recommendations from the State Association Executives and Government Relations Advisory Committees.  Highlights of the plan include:
  • A Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) increase/bump of 10%.
  • An additional 2% FMAP bump...for 12 months… for states to create registries of qualified direct care workers for beneficiaries self-directing their care. (See the bullets under Implementation models)
  • At the very beginning, states would receive $100 million to initiate an implementation planning process with stakeholder input.
  • Medicaid authorities continue to receive the current +10 percent HCBS FMAP bump ($12.7 billion) for the entire planning period to implement the HCBS Improvement Program, which could be as long as three (3) years.
  • MOE requirements, defining DSPs;
  • Establishes a set of core and supplemental quality measures;
Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky are both listed as original sponsors on the legislation – long-time champions of caregiving and HCBS services and supports.  On the other side of the 4th of July Holiday, we can expect to request members advocate to members of Congress to express strong support for ensuring the caregiving and HCBS investment is a part of reconciliation negotiations that will occur closer to the Fall.  These types of federal investments are crucial to Illinois continuing its path to fully funding the Guidehouse rate study and addressing issues in our HCBS and caregiving services system. (Contact: Josh Evans)
 

UPDATED COVID-19 GUIDANCE FOR SMALL CONGREGATE SETTINGS
The Division, in collaboration with IDPH, has updated the COVID-19 guidance for small congregate settings.  The updated guidance includes links to updated information from the CDC and OSHA.  The Division has indicated that this is intended for small congregate settings, including CILAs, and does not include ICF/DD’s.  (Contact: Beth Owens) 
 

ILLINOIS REMOTE SERVICES WAIVER AMENDMENT APPROVED
The most recent waiver amendment that was submitted to CMS in January of 2021 was approved on June 24th.  The effective date of the changes in this amendment will be July 1, 2021.  The waiver now allows for Remote Supports in CILA and ICILA settings and also modifies the definition of Personal Support to include support services provided in a hospital setting and add Remote Support as a new waiver service.  The new waiver can be viewed HERE.  An Information Bulletin from the Division outlining Remote Supports has been added to the current list of DRAFT Information Bulletins. 
 
Members will recall that allowance of remote services and supports was an IARF legislative initiative/priority during the 2020 legislative session, which was included in a Medicaid omnibus.  The Division worked diligently during the pandemic to obtain stakeholder input and negotiate with HFS and CMS to seek approval of the waiver.
(Contact: Beth Owens)
 

DMH ISSUES CRISIS GRANT AWARDS AND FOLLOW-UP INFORMATION
IARF wanted to share some feedback we received this week from several of our BH providers regarding the 590 NOFO. Several providers indicated that they received Emails from DHS regarding awards for the 590 Crisis Response Grants. None of the providers indicated they received the full amount contained within their initial proposals and several had indicated they had received funds to cover approximately 68% of their proposals.
 
DHS-DMH provided the following FAQ to further explain their methodologies. IARF is working with CBHA and IABH on engagement with DMH and next steps. More info to come. (Contact: Luis Andrade)
 

HFS PUBLISHES PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS INFORMATION BULLETIN AND UNVEILS WEBINAR SERIES
HFS issued the following Public Notice regarding the Pathways to Success Program, a new program being proposed under the state's 1915(i) State Plan Amendment. Please note that there is also a Town Hall Webinar Series for HFS to gain public input. Registration is required and can be found on the above link. Please reach out if you have any additional questions. Thank you! (Contact: Luis Andrade)
 

HFS RELEASES ICFDD RATE INCREASE PROPOSAL
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is proposing changes in the methods and standards of payment to ICFDD providers. The increase shall include hourly adjustments for residential services provided by aides on July 1, 2021, and January 1, 2022. In addition, on January 1, 2022, an increase will be implemented sufficient to provide wages for all residential non-executive direct care staff, excluding aides, at the federal Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics' average wage as defined in rule by the Department. (Contact: Luis Andrade)
 

THE IMPACTS OF COVID-19 ON HIRING, RETAINING, & PAYING EMPLOYEES WEBINAR JULY 13
Join the Horton Group on July 13th for The Impacts of Covid-19 on Hiring, Retaining, and Paying Employees webinar. Horton’s Board Chair, Glenn Horton, discusses why hiring is so different than previous downturns with historian, economist, and demographer Neil Howe. Topics to be discussed include:
  • Why is it so hard to fill open positions?  Is it just unemployment benefits?  When will the situation improve?
  • Why are quit rates so high?
  • Is this a short or long-term situation?
  • How important is work from home?  What if we demand our employees return to the workplace?
  • What is the long-term impact on commuting and large urban workplaces?
  • Is wage inflation “transitory” or should we expect higher wage costs long term?
  • What will be the impact on overall inflation?
Click here to learn more and register. (Contact: Maggie Henley)
 

Products │ Services │ Solutions
NEWLY RELEASED DRAFT INFORMATION BULLETINS
The Division has recently released multiple Draft Informational Bulletins (IB).  The following Draft IB’s are currently posted for comment on the DHS-DDD website: Comments for these newly released Draft IB’s are open for two weeks.  (Contact: Beth Owens)
 

DDD ESTABLISHES STAKEHOLDER FEEDBACK WEBPAGE
The Division has announced the release of the Division of Developmental Disabilities Stakeholder Feedback Request webpage to share draft documents and solicit stakeholder feedback.  This page will contain draft documents such as Administrative Rules and Medicaid Waiver Amendments. Currently the webpage contains the Draft Rules 119, 117, and 120 for stakeholder review and feedback.  (Contact: Beth Owens)
 

FUNCTIONAL LITERACY TESTING AND TABE SCORING UPDATE
The Division has not released a final version of the Functional Literacy Information Bulletin but they confirmed with Data Recognition Corporation (DRC) that the minimum score required to achieve an 8th grade reading equivalency on the TABE 11M & 12M.  This score is significantly lower than DRS previously reported. DRC has now removed the grade equivalency sheet from their website since they have determined it was not accurate.
 
For the TABE 11 M  - Minimum Raw Score of 26, a Scale Score of 501 and a NRS Level 3
For the TABE 12 M – Minimum Raw Score of 26, a Scale Score of 501 and a NRS Level 3
 
DRC is planning to offer a statewide training webinar to assist providers with information on ordering supplies, testing procedure, scoring and available resources. (Contact: Beth Owens)
 

UPCOMING LIGAS ADVISORY COUNCIL AND TOWNHALLS
The Ligas Consent Decree, certified in 2011, established the Ligas Family Advisory Council (LFAC) and the Ligas Townhall meetings. DDD hosted a Ligas Advisory Townhall in April of 2021. In the coming fiscal year, DDD is planning to hold two LFAC meetings and two Townhalls.  The next Ligas Family Advisory Council will be held virtually July 19, from 1-3 pm and will include updates from DDD, Ronnie Cohn, the Court Monitor; Laura Miller, Equip for Equality; and the Ligas Family Advocate program.  If providers are interested in attending this meeting, please email Meg Cooch at meg.cooch@illinois.gov.  The division is looking to move to a hybrid option for future meetings.  Updates and notes from previous meetings can be found on the LFAC webpage. (Contact: Beth Owens)
 

ICFDD COMMITTEE SCHEDULED FOR 7/13/2021 AT 11 AM
The ICFDD Committee will be meeting next on Tuesday July 13, 2021, at 11 AM via Zoom. Agenda is currently being formulated and will be shared ASAP. You should have received a calendar invite as well. Hope to see you there! (Contact: Luis Andrade)
 

ANCOR CELEBRATES MEMBER APPRECIATION WEEK
This past week, ANCOR celebrated members during their 2021 Member Appreciation Week. Members of IARF and ANCOR received emails throughout the week from ANCOR offering several tokens of appreciation. These included the 2021 Proud Member Notebook, opportunities to socialize, access to free and discounted resources, and a timely promotion. Note that some discounts are extended beyond the week, so be sure to check your inbox to see what’s available to you as a member! (Contact: Maggie Henley)
DDD Information Bulletins
DDD Communications
HFS Provider Notices
Thank you to our 2020 IARF Virtual Conference Sponsors! 
Josh Evans - President & CEO  - jevans@iarf.org
Beth Owens - Vice President for Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Policy - bowens@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 │ www.iarf.org
 
 






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