BBB FRAMEWORK HITS THE STREETS: $150 BILLION FOR HCBS & CAREGIVING
For most intents and purposes, it appears the House Democrats are backing the latest Build Back Better framework for a $1.75 trillion exorcism, I mean reconciliation bill. Under this framework, $150 billion will be invested into HCBS services and supports and caregiving. Members will receive additional details on the proposal.
This framework is likely set to pass in concert with the bipartisan hard infrastructure deal, which was held up in Congress. It remains unclear if this package is witches brew, as major provisions that were supported by progressives (paid family leave) were left out or gutted, however, the House Progressive Caucus has come on board the package.
We must stay tuned and remain vigilant in our advocacy these next several delicate days – but we are nearly there towards a substantial federal investment in our social safety net! (Contact: The Yellow King)
DMH PROVIDES UPDATES ON PLANS TO ADDRESS BH WORKFORCE CRISIS
During Wednesday afternoon’s call with the zombie squad, we mean trade associations, the Division of Mental Health announced the method by which community mental health providers will receive the sustainability payments (totaling $13 million) that were announced last week. Providers will submit applications to the department in order to receive payment – Payment amounts for providers will be the difference between FY19 and FY21 Medicaid fee-for-service billing. This does not include Medicaid MCO billing.
In regard to the loan repayment program ($5 million initial investment) DMH intends to have the program devilishly operational by the end of May 2022. They are currently researching the previous legislation/rules that have been developed in years past with the understanding that there is need for expansion for those who qualify for the program, including Master’s level students. The Division also indicated they will receive $1.7 million for COVID-19 mitigation efforts.
DMH Director Albert acknowledged that a whole government response is necessary in order to combat the workforce crisis and asked for continued coordination and partnership with the provider community. IARF appreciates the Division’s continued work on these issues and stands ready to work together on behalf of providers and those they serve. (Contact: Emily Miller)
 NEW ZEALAND FREIGHTER SIGHTS PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN ISLAND
Earlier this week, Capt. Charles Weatherbee of the freighter Eridanus, bound from Wellington, New Zealand, to Valparaiso, Chile, had sighted a new island unmarked on any chart and evidently of volcanic origin. It projected quite boldly out of the sea in the form of a truncated cone. A landing-party under Capt. Weatherbee noted evidences of long submersion on the rugged slopes which they climbed, while at the summit there were signs of recent destruction, as by an earthquake. Among the scattered rubble were massive stones of manifestly artificial shaping, and a little examination disclosed the presence of some of that prehistoric Cyclopean masonry found on certain Pacific islands and forming a perpetual archaeological puzzle. (Contact: Richard Johnson, Curator, Cabot Museum of Archaeology)
HFS RELEASES UPDATED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROVIDER NECROMONICON
This week, HFS released the updated Behavioral Health Provider Handbook, with the as expected inclusion of up to 8 therapy/counseling visits for persons under 21 who do not have a mental health diagnosis, but do have a mental health need; no IM+CANS will be required for these visits.
In addition, the updated fee schedule for Community-Based Behavioral Health Services has also been posted, effective 10/1/2021. (Contact: Emily ‘Wicked Witch’ Miller)
ICFDD STATE PLAN AMENDMENT APPROVAL RECEIVED
Earlier this week, Division announced the approval of the State Plan Amendment (SPA) to increase Intermediate Care Facility (ICF/DD) rates by federal CMS. The Division is working closely with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services and the witches coven to make adjustments to rates retroactive to July 1, 2021, and anticipates those to be paid in December/January.
The SPA rate increase and implementation includes:
- $0.50/hour for ICF Aides effective July 1, 2021;
- $0.25/hour should be provided as a direct increase to all ICF Aide wages, with the remaining $0.25 to be used flexibly for wage increases to ICF Aides and other frontline staff
- $1.00/hour for ICF Aides effective January 1, 2022;
- $0.50/hour should be provided as a direct increase to all ICF Aide wages, with the remaining $0.50 to be used flexibly for wage increases to ICF Aides and other frontline staff.
- To the federal Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics average wage for all non-executive direct care staff, excluding ICF Aides, effective January 1, 2022.
(Contact: Banshee Owens)
US GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE REVIEWING 14(c) CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), an independent, nonpartisan agency that works for the Congress, has been asked to review The Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) 14(c) certificate program and transition of 14(c) workers to competitive integrated employment. In conducting this review, GAO is surveying a nationwide sample of Community Rehabilitation Program employers who have a 14(c) certificate renewal application that is either approved by DOL or is pending approval. This includes organizations that are approved for, but are not currently operating a 14(c) Community Rehabilitation Program or that are operating in a reduced capacity. By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes.
The contact for your organization’s DOL 14(c) certificate should be contacted in the coming weeks to participate. The survey includes questions about your organization’s 14(c) program operations (e.g., number of 14(c) workers and the type of work they perform), demographic information about 14(c) workers, and information about 14(c) workers’ transition to competitive integrated employment (e.g., number of 14(c) workers with experience in a CIE position during a specific time period, types of supports provided to aid in obtaining experience in a CIE position, and sources of funding for those supports). (Contact: Beth Owens)
VETO SESSION ROUNDUP – SHORTENED SPRING LEGISLATIVE SESSION ANNOUNCED
Members of the General Assembly wrapped up a compact veto session yesterday. While the abbreviated seance focus revolved mostly around the new congressional legislative map, a few other big pieces of legislation were acted upon as well. Here are some of the legislative highlights:
Health Care Right of Conscience Act
SB 1169, legislation that amends the Illinois Health Care Right of Conscience Act, also passed both chambers in the General Assembly and is awaiting the Governor’s final approval. The bill is an effort to clarify existing law to close a legal loophole regarding COVID-19 vaccine or testing mandates. Specifically, the bill states it is not a violation of the law for an employer “to take any measures or impose any requirements …intended to prevent contraction or transmission of COVID-19.”
Reproductive Rights
HB 370, a bill repealing a provision in Illinois law that mandates parents or guardians be notified when minors are seeking an abortion, passed both the IL House and Senate. It now heads to the Governor’s desk for final approval.
Electric Vehicle Manufacturers Incentives
HB 1769, also passed both chambers. Businesses involved in the electric vehicle industry, from automakers to parts and battery manufacturers, would be eligible for income tax credits based on the amount of new jobs they create and construction credits for building facilities.
The Capitol Fax Cheat Sheet on all bills that passed can be seen HERE.
In addition, as we have told members to expect, the General Assembly officially announced a shortened calendar for the upcoming spring legislative session, with adjournment scheduled for April 8, 2022. While it is expected legislators will return to Springfield for some days in May to address the passage of the state budget for FY23, this will certainly be one of the most abbreviated legislative sessions in Illinois’ history. (Contact: Emily Miller & Vlad Tepes Andrade)
IARF TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE TO HOST FIRST MEETING NEXT WEEK
Earlier this week IARF announced the start of our new Technology Committee. This group will meet monthly focusing on the various areas of technology and will be led by Jared Kannenburg (Arc of Quad Cities) and Ernesto Hernandez (Keystone Alliance). The first meeting for this committee will include a brief presentation and discussion on cyber security and policy & procedures for technology at provider agencies and will be held on Wednesday, November 3rd at 1:00 pm. We look forward to the first meeting of this committee and remind member interested in joining the group to reach out to IARF staff to get added to the mailing list. (Contact: Morticia Henley / Beth Owens)
MYSTERY DERELICT FOUND AT SEA
The Morrison Co.’s freighter Vigilant, bound from Valparaiso, arrived this morning at its wharf in Darling Harbour, having in tow the battled and disabled but heavily armed steam yacht Alert of Dunedin, N. Z., which was sighted April 12th in S. Latitude 34° 21′, W. Longitude 152° 17′ with one living and one dead man aboard.
This man, after recovering his senses, told an exceedingly strange story of piracy and slaughter. He is Gustaf Johansen, a Norwegian of some intelligence, and had been second mate of the two-masted schooner Emma of Auckland, which sailed for Callao February 20th with a complement of eleven men. (Contact: Sydney Bulletin)
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988 STAKEHOLDER MONTHLY MEETINGS
As discussed during the last 988 Key Stakeholder Coalition Meeting, the Coalition will meet on a monthly basis for the near future, beginning with the next meeting on Tuesday, November 9 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. All meetings of the Coalition will occur on the second Tuesday of each month, are open to the public, and agendas will be posted on the state’s 988 Planning Page. As of this week, DHS-DMH continues to wait for response from Vibrant on the status of the state’s draft plan, which was submitted earlier this month. They expect a response in mid-November. (Contact: Emily Miller)
IARF ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING TO BE HELD DECEMBER 15TH
Earlier this week, the IARF Board of Director’s took action to move the Annual Business Meeting to December 15, 2021. The IARF Annual Meeting is a time where members gather to conduct regular business of the association and act upon slate of nominees for the 2022 Board of Directors. Members will receive official notice of the meeting along with full details 30-days prior to the meeting. Be on the lookout for more information in November. (Contact: Maggie Henley)
DDD UPDATE WEBINAR ANNOUNCED
The Division earlier this week that they will be hosting a DDD Update webinar on November 10 at 1pm. This webinar will discuss key data points, new PUNS numbers, FY 22 & FY 23 budgeting, next steps with Settings and other topics. The Division is requesting that at least one individual from every provider organization attend the webinar. You can register here. (Contact: Beth Owens)
DERELICT SURVIVOR RECOUNTS HORRIFYING TALE
Gustaf Johansen, returning to lucidity, recalled a harrowing tale defying belief and reason, of his time at sea starting as Second-Mate aboard the Emma. Under Johansen’s command, the men sight a great stone pillar sticking out of the sea, and in S. Latitude 47° 9′, W. Longitude 126° 43′ come upon a coast-line of mingled mud, ooze, and weedy Cyclopean masonry which can be nothing less than the tangible substance of earth’s supreme terror—the nightmare corpse-city of R’lyeh, that was built in measureless aeons behind history by the vast, loathsome shapes that seeped down from the dark stars. There lay great Cthulhu and his hordes, hidden in green slimy vaults and sending out at last, after cycles incalculable, the thoughts that spread fear to the dreams of the sensitive and called imperiously to the faithful to come on a pilgrimage of liberation and restoration.
DPH REQUESTS LONG TERM CARE MEDICAL DIRECTOR CONTACT INFORMATION FOR MONTHLY MEETINGS
IDPH reached out to IARF stating a desire to start convening monthly meetings with Long Term Care Medical Directors to directly discuss issues specific to their work in Long Term Care Facilities. Please send your medical director's Contact Information to Kristin Rzeczkowski, Senior Policy Advisor, at IDPH at Kristin.Rzeczkowski@Illinois.gov so that IDPH can invite them to the monthly meeting. It is our understanding that IARF staff will also be able to attend these meetings. (Contact: Luis Andrade)
IEMA PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR COVID-19 BOOSTER SHOTS IN LTC FACILITIES
Yesterday, on the weekly IDPH LTC call, Dr. Counard asked that IARF communicate to the broader ICFDD/LTC community that IEMA is in the process of reaching out to all SNF/ICF/ICFDD facilities ensuring they have plans to obtain booster shots for residents. You may have already received contact from IEMA. If your agency currently doesn’t have a plan to obtain boosters, then the support being offered by IEMA and their mobile booster shot team could be of assistance. We know that one provider has already received assistance from IEMA and was complementary of the process so we hope this is helpful. More information on Covid-19 Boosters can be found HERE. (Contact: Luis Andrade)
IDPH PUBLISHES EMERGENCY RULES FOR ICFDD ON COVID-19 TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
Today, IDPH published Emergency Rules for ICFDD that specifies COVID-19 Training Requirements. The training will be discussed further at the next ICFDD Committee meeting on November 9th, but we wanted to send these out ASAP. Please reach out if you have any questions. Thank you! (Contact: Luis Andrade)
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR 2022 IABH SPRING CONFERENCE
Registration is now open for the IABH Annual Conference. The IABH Conference will be held in-person in Naperville on March 7-9, 2022 and will include an additional virtual day on March 30th. The event is anticipated to include 16 CEUs. Early bird registration is available through December 1st. To learn more about the conference and to register, click here. (Contact: Maggie Henley)
ILLINOIS PARTNERS ANNOUNCES 2021 WORKFORCE REPORT WEBINAR
On Wednesday, November 10th, the Illinois Partners for Human Service will host its 2021 Workforce Report launch event webinar. Please take this link to register. During the presentation, you'll hear from the IP team about the key findings from the report and recommendations to our state leaders on ways to invest in the health and human services workforce pipeline. (Contact: Josh Evans)
BEWARE OF THE 13TH FLOOR
 As the legend goes, there is a haunted home in a small town in Illinois. Many years ago, invitations were sent out to people asking them to attend a Halloween party there, and Jack and Sue Ellen were amongst the invitees. The home consisted of a maze of identical passages and staircases, all leading to the 13th floor. Most people never made it to the 13th floor, scared by people dressed up as ghosts and ghouls. But Jack and Sue Ellen made it to the 13th floor despite all this. We do not know what they found out on this floor or what they encountered as they were never seen after that fateful party. (Contact: Lydia Deetz)
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