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August 20, 2021
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
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2021 IARF LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE MOVES FORWARD - ADDITIONAL MITIGATION POLICIES IN PLACE
IARF asked and attendees/potential attendees answered! With the 2021 IARF Leadership Conference just a month away, members stated they want to continue with the event and the amazing lineup of expert presenters, mindful discussions, and .  Potential attendees told us the following: 91% indicated they support a vaccine requirement to attend; 84% indicated they support indoor masking. IARF takes health, safety, and well-being very seriously – and as a leadership event – we are going to lead ourselves by ensuring we have these reasonable COVID-19 mitigation efforts in place for attendees. With the addition of these mitigation policies, we hope an extra level of “peace of mind” and comfort are brought to all those planning to attend the event on September 16th & 17th. If you haven’t registered there is still time to get registered to attend – click here to learn more. We are very much looking forward to this long-awaited, in-person event and hope you are able to join us! (Contact: Maggie Henley)
 

IARF MEMBER APPRECIATION WEEK & MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS NEXT WEEK
Next week is IARF’s annual Member Appreciation Week, a whole week dedicated to Members! Starting Monday and throughout the week IARF will be sharing details for what’s in store. As part of next week’s celebrations, on Wednesday, August 25th IARF will host our regularly scheduled Membership Meetings. The Meeting of the Membership will feature a presentation from the Goldie B. Floberg team on the residential live-in staffing model they’ve implemented.  Additionally, staff will update members on the data we received during the recently concluded vaccine/testing survey. Join IARF in-person at the IARF offices in Springfield or on Zoom; to access the meeting login and details, please visit the members only website. IARF is looking forward to a week of member connections and hope you are able to join us. Be on the lookout for more details in your inbox next week! (Contact: All Staff)
 

IARF 2021 COMPENSATION SURVEY – CALLING ALL PARTICIPANTS!
IARF Member and Non-Member I/DD and BH service providers can now complete the 2021 Compensation Survey through September 10th. This is our first salary survey since 2017 – it has been further customized and is now available through an online tool.  Providers participating in the survey will receive a free copy when it is published in November.  Please contact msorenson@hrsource.org to receive a unique link to the survey! (Contact: Josh Evans)
 

FEDERAL CMS ADVANCING VACCINE MANDATE IN LTC
On Wednesday, federal CMS announced its intention to file an emergency rulemaking requiring staff working in long-term care to be vaccinated.  In the statement ANCOR issued to members yesterday, it remains their understanding that the mandate would not apply outside of LTC at this time (we continue to need clarity about impact on ICFDDs).
 
As we await federal direction on this matter, we know DPH is scheduled to have discussion with LTC providers next week.  For several weeks now, the Illinois LTC industry has been pushing for a universal ‘all health and LTC’ vaccine mandate.  We note that AHCA – a national LTC advocacy group – in response to the CMS announcement, has requested the mandate apply to all health and LTC settings. IARF is going to continue to be a part of discussions with DPH and DHS on this topic, as we’ve shared member survey data on this topic and the very real concerns a mandate would have on staffing in provider agencies. (Contact: Josh Evans)
 

TWO WEEKS LEFT TO COMPLETE ANCOR’S 2021 STATE OF THE DIRECT SUPPORT WORKFORCE CRISIS SURVEY
In early 2020, just before the pandemic began to wreak havoc on our lives, ANCOR fielded a survey of its members to discern the ways in which the direct support workforce crisis is impacting organizations. The response received was overwhelming: more than 810 provider organizations responded, giving a snapshot of just how deep the impacts of this crisis are and illustrating that providers are eager to share their concerns. ANCOR is now fielding a follow-up survey and additional responses are needed to ensure the results of this study are reliable. Can you please take 10 minutes or less to complete the survey today? Whether you responded to the initial survey or not, ANCOR needs to hear from you. The 2021 survey can be completed by any organization that provides long-term services and supports to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Thank you in advance for your time and attention to this important request! Click here to complete the 2021 direct support workforce crisis survey today. (Contact: ancor@ancor.org)
 

DDD TO HOST SEX ED TRAINING FOR PROVIDERS
The Division of Developmental Disabilities is hosting a fall training series for all community-based, waiver funded providers to share expectations for provider operations, system and policy changes, as well as best practices.  The first training will occur on September 9, 2021 from 1pm – 3 pm. The title of the training is “Supporting Sex Education: What Providers Need to Know.” The webinar will include an overview of provider responsibilities, guardian roles and online resources developed to assist agencies and families including Train the Trainer curricula, FAQs for guardians and agencies and IDHS-approved sexual education materials. Expectations from the Division for providers will also be discussed and attendees will have the opportunity to hear from a self-advocate on the importance of sex education and support in her life. Providers can register for the September 9th Webinar HERE.  (Contact: Beth Owens)
 

CHANGES TO BALC AND FIRE MARSHAL PROCEDURES
Earlier this month, BALC sent notice to community providers notifying them of a new penalties and mitigation process, next steps and provided a sample mitigation template. Additionally, the Division has posted a Draft Information Bulletin on the same topic - DRAFT - Important News About Fire Marshal Safety and Inspections.  Prior to September 1st, Providers are expected to provide BALC with a list of outstanding fire safety citations from fire marshal inspections.  Providers must then submit a written mitigation plan addressing each violation at each site by 9/30/21 or provide a written response requesting an extension. Providers that do not provide a written mitigation plan or an extension request will be moved to the penalties process on October 1st.  Penalties include admission hold, suspension of payments and site de-certification.  (Contact: Beth Owens)
 
 

Products │ Services │ Solutions


REVISED REMOTE SUPPORTS DRAFT IB RELEASED
The Division of Developmental Disabilities released a revised DRAFT Information Bulletin (IB) this week.  The IB, DRAFT - Remote Support, largely remains the same, however there are some things that have been added.  Among additions are expanded definitions for Remote Supports Equipment and Ongoing Monitoring.  This IB is open for comments through September 1, 2021.  (Contact: Beth Owens)
 

CURRENT ISC GRANTS AGREEMENTS EXTENDED
DHS -DDD has received approval from the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget’s Grant Accountability and Transparency Unit (GOMB/GATU) to extend the current Independent Service Coordination (ISC) agency grant agreements.  The current ISC agency grant agreements will now run through Fiscal Year 2024.  GOMB/GATU also approved an expansion of the scope of these agreements for Fiscal Years 2023 and 2024. The next Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the ISC agencies will be issued in Fiscal Year 2024 and the new grant agreements to begin in Fiscal Year 2025.  The division has indicated his change will not impact other NOFOs scheduled to be released in Fiscal Year 2022. (Contact: Beth Owens)
 

ILLINOIS PERSON-CENTERED PLANNING SURVEY
The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) Institute on Disability and Human Development is on contract by the division to evaluate the person-centered planning process for Adult DD Waiver recipients in Illinois.  UIC has developed a survey to understand the barriers and strengths within the process. People receiving services, families, community organizations, ISCs and all other interested stakeholders are encouraged to complete the survey by August 27th.  (Contact: Beth Owens)
 

BH UPDATE: 988 CRISIS LINE PLANNING
DMH authorized an Illinois Key Stakeholder Coalition and several subcommittees that continue to meet to discuss various topics to assist DMH in its submission of a draft implementation plan to SAMSHA in September.  Subcommittee topics include: Statewide Coverage, Statewide Standards, Community Linkage, Public Messaging, and Funding Mechanisms.  IARF has been active in the Coalition and is working with the members of the Funding Mechanisms Subcommittee on draft recommendations around sustainable sources of revenue to support the system.  In addition, DMH issued a new 590 Crisis Care System grant opportunity to establish continuous crisis services for anyone, anywhere, at any time, in preparation for the 988 implementation. Awardees were announced effective July 1, 2021, based on the geographic regions included in their proposals. (Contact: Luis Andrade)
 

HFS MEETINGS ON RULE 140
Recognizing the importance of behavioral health provider participation, specifically CMHCs/BHCs, in the new Pathways to Success program, HFS intends to engage the behavioral health trade associations in discussions around potential changes to Rule 140 that may incentivize providers to become a CCSO/MCR provider or offer other new services under the 1915(i) State Plan Amendment.  The first meeting with HFS is Friday, August 20.  As a side note, but related to behavioral health workforce, the SIU School of Medicine has been chosen as the hub organization in the new Behavioral Health Workforce Education Center, authorized in HB 158, also known as the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Health and Human Services Pillar.  SIU has just begun conversations with the Illinois Board of Higher Education on the implementation of this new initiative. (Contact: Luis Andrade)
 

GOV. PRITZKER SIGNS IARF/THE ARC LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVE HB 292 INTO LAW
On Friday, 8/13/2021, Governor Pritzker signed HB292 into law. IARF was proud to partner with our colleagues at the Arc of Illinois to push forth this important legislative Initiative.

The legislation helps advance the Employment First model in Illinois by allowing employed individuals who live in CILAs to keep ALL of their earned income. Discontinuing the practice of offsetting state payment with an individual’s earned income was also a policy recommendation made within the Guidehouse Rate Study.  Additionally, this legislation ensures that the needs of the I/DD community and advocates are represented on the State Use Committee.

We would like to thank State Representative Lindsey LaPointe (19th) and State Senator Laura Fine (9th) for sponsoring this legislative initiative to help remove barriers to competitive integrated employment for Individuals with I/DD in Illinois. We would also like to thank the Governor’s Office and the Department of Humans Services for their thoughtful consideration and approval of our proposal. We would also like to thank DDD Director Stark for the continued commitment to increase access to employment opportunities across the state.

And finally, a special thanks to all of you for your advocacy. The General Assembly heard your voices and you were able to make a difference. (Contact: Luis Andrade)
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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