GET YOUR MESSAGE TO WASHINGTON! TELL CONGRESS ‘IF NOT NOW, WHEN?’
Congress is working right now to finalize its budget reconciliation bill. The final negotiations will determine whether Congress will deliver on the President’s promise to strengthen and expand Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS).
Now is the time to insist that your members of Congress fully fund the HCBS program and address the direct support professional (DSP) workforce crisis. Please be sure that you encourage everyone you know to respond to the Action Alert to get messages into Washington, D.C. - let’s make sure Illinois voice is heard! (Contact: Josh Evans)
DHS-DDD COMMUNICATION ON STAFFING CRISIS
The DD Division released a communication on the staffing crisis earlier this week. Included in the information is an announcement of an additional increase to the temporary COVID rate increase that is already in place. The CILA rate will temporarily increase from the current additional 5% to 7% from October 1st – December 31st. The Division also announced additional relief will be provided by:
(Contact: Beth Owens)
UPDATED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROVIDER HANDBOOK EXPECTED SOON
HFS indicated this week that providers can expect the updated behavioral health provider handbook to be released within the next week. The new handbook will include updates related to changes in telehealth and brief interventions (providers may bill eight sessions of therapy without full completion of the IATP as long as they are billed as brief interventions – with the accurate billing modifier to be used) - the handbook will have complete instructions. (Contact: Emily Miller)
GOVERNOR PRITZKER EXECUTIVE ORDER ON SUBMINIMUM WAGE
Today, in the Illinois Rules Register, a copy of the Executive Order from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker on Illinois Subminimum Wage was published. Click here to view the Illinois JCAR Register: Begins on Page 13146. (Contact: Luis Andrade)
HFS TO DEVELOP IM+CANS WORKGROUP
HFS is in the process of developing an ad hoc working group that will focus on continued issues related to IM+CANS. The workgroup, which will be subject to the Open Meetings Act, will work to streamline the process and will focus on what is and is not working in the field and what changes and improvements can be made. The Association will alert members as more information becomes available concerning the first and any subsequent meetings of the group. (Contact: Emily Miller)
MEDICAID ADVISORY NB SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING
This week, the Medicaid Advisory NB Subcommittee convened. The meeting, led by HFS Division of Behavioral Health’s Kristine Herman, laid the groundwork for the continued work of the committee, including the committee’s purpose to “assist the Department in designing training, technical assistance, coaching, mentoring processes to encourage providers to offer services included in the NB Consent Decree Model, with particular emphasis on the implementation of the 1915(i) State Plan Amendment and to provide ongoing feedback to the Department regarding implementation success and barriers as new services are implemented.”
As the state continues its rollout of the Pathways to Success Program, including the new statewide mobile crisis response services and the development and implementation of CCSOs, the NB Subcommittee will continue to meet monthly to provide feedback and input on the programs. IARF is an active member of this committee. (Contact: Emily Miller)
IARF WELCOMES NEW SUPPORTING MEMBER TARRYTOWN EXPOCARE PHARMACY
IARF is pleased to welcome our newest supporting member Tarrytown Expocare Pharmacy! Tarrytown Expocare Pharmacy exclusively serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Their goal is to lessen the burden of medication management from providers by proactively managing medication refills and prior authorizations. Tarrytown Expocare Pharmacy works diligently to minimize cost as well as reduce workload through the use of their proprietary online portal. Proactive cycle fill, consistent communication, color coded labels for administration times, and many other I/DD specific systems are in place to support your team and ensure your individuals have the medications they need month to month.
We look forward to our partnership together with Tarrytown Expocare Pharmacy and expanding our network of resources available to members. To learn more, please contact: Kathy Brown, RN CDDN | 847-269-3167 | Kathy.Brown@TarrytownExpocare.com. (Contact: Maggie Henley)
REMOTE SUPPORTS WEBINAR WITH IARF SUPPORTING MEMBER NOSS NEXT WEDNESDAY
Join IARF Supporting Member Night Owl Support Systems on October 20th for a webinar on remote supports. Think Remote Supports is just about technology? Think again! Discover the human element of Remote Supports services and continue to provide the highest levels of care. Facing administrative time and workforce constraints? We can help! Identify scenarios where using Remote Supports makes sense and how straightforward it is to get started with Night Owl Support Systems. Click here to learn more and register for the webinar today! (Contact: Maggie Henley)
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DDD PROVIDER SURVEY EXTENDED
In partnership with the University of Illinois Chicago, the Division of Developmental Disabilities released a DDD Provider Survey. The survey asks specific questions about a provider’s previous experience and ongoing interest in serving individuals with different needs. This survey will help to inform recommendations of how to grow and expand system capacity in order to meet the diverse needs of people with I/DD and their families across Illinois. Responding to this survey is voluntary but the Division has extended the time for provider agency's to respond to this survey until October 22. Please contact Caitlin Crabb with questions at ccrabb2@uic.edu. (Contact: Beth Owens)
377 BOARD CREATION INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR
Lore Baker, President and CEO of the Association for Individual Development is presenting this webinar in partnership with the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities on Wednesday, October 20th. The presentation will be offered at 10:00 am, 1:00 pm, or 7:00 pm and will address topics such as the purpose of a 377 board, how to establish a 377 board, what are the costs associated with development and how to build a coalition. Registration for the 10 am presentation, 1pm presentation, or the 7pm presentation must occur separately. (Contact: Beth Owens)
IDPH ISSUES UPDATED COVID-19 HALLOWEEN AND FALL FESTIVITIES GUIDANCE
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is issuing updated guidance to help people celebrate more safely as we continue to battle COVID-19. "Although we're still in the pandemic, this Halloween and Fall festivities season will look a little different than last year thanks to the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines that are readily available," said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. Guidance includes information on the following:
- Masks;
- Trick or Treat;
- Haunted Houses, Woods, Walks;
- Pumpkin Patches, Fall Festivals;
- Dia de Los Muertos;
- Parties; and
- Social Gatherings.
The full Guidance can be seen HERE. (Contact: Luis Andrade)
NOMINATE A DDP TODAY FOR NAQ’S SPOTLIGHT AWARD TODAY
Do you know a QIDP or case manager that consistently goes above and beyond – someone who deserves a little extra recognition for a job well done? If so, please nominate them for NAQs Spotlight Award. The Spotlight Award gives supervisors and co-workers the opportunity to acknowledge those professionals who make a positive impact in the disability field by providing exceptional supports to the people they serve. Click here to submit a nomination. (Contact: Maggie Henley)
HEALTH RISK SCREENING TOOL (HRST) WEBINARS
IntellectAbility (formerly HRS, Inc) is offering two webinars on the HRST, protocol in Illinois and how to best use the tool. The webinars will be held on November 2 at 10am and November 4 at 2pm. In Illinois, only residential providers are required to administer the web-based application of the HRST to their residents, but anyone is welcome to attend. You can register for the November 2 training here and the November 4 training here; trainings are identical. (Contact: Beth Owens)
THE ARC OF IL TO HOST DDD WAIVERS FOR CHILDREN & YOUNG ADULTS WEBINAR NEXT WEEK
Join The Arc of Illinois Family to Family Health Information Center on Wednesday, October 20th from 12:00 -1:00 for a presentation on the Medicaid Home and Community Based Waivers for children and adults with developmental disabilities (DD) from DHS –Division of Developmental Disabilities Director, Allison Stark. Director Stark will answer questions about:
- The difference between HCBS waiver funded services and institutional care.
- An overview of the services available under the Children’s Support Waiver, Children’s Residential Waiver and Adults with Developmental Disabilities Waiver and the number of individuals receiving services in each.
- An overview of the PUNS list, the registration list for services and the role of the Independent Service Coordination (ISC) Agency –the eight agencies in our state that contract with DHS to assist individuals with DD by registering them on the PUNS, applying for funding for those in crisis, and trouble-shooting for those receiving services
- Ways the division is working to increase the quality and funding for services in Illinois, as well as FY 22 priorities.
Register in advance for this Zoom webinar here. Questions? Contact Mary Dixon at 815-464-1832 x1017; mary@thearcofil.org
NATIONAL COUNCIL HILL DAY IS NEXT WEEK!
There’s still time to sign up for next week’s National Council Hill Day Event! This virtual event is next Tuesday, October 19, and includes a four-hour policy event filled with keynote speakers, legislative updates, and more, including an update from CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. Now, more than ever, it is imperative to make our collective voices heard by our members of Congress and the decision makers at the federal level. More information, including registration and schedule, is here. (Contact: Emily Miller)
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