JANUARY MEETING OF THE MEMBERSHIP NEXT WEEK – HOUSE LEADER HARRIS & COVID TESTING RESOURCE
Next Wednesday, IARF will host our first Meeting of the Membership for 2022. We are excited to have House Majority Leader Greg Harris on the agenda for the Meeting. During the January meeting, Leader Harris will provide a landscape of the spring legislative session, including his thoughts on the budget outlook for the coming fiscal year. In addition, we will also have representatives with Good Family Clinics for the second half of the meeting to present on their service models for COVID-19 testing which includes on-site testing. Members can access meeting login information on the members only site or contact staff for details. (Contact: Maggie Henley)
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TARGETED RATE ADD-ON LEGISLATION UP TO 69 BIPARTISAN SPONSORS IN THE HOUSE
Because of the collaborative efforts of its broad coalition of supporters, HB 4238 is up to 69 bipartisan co-sponsors in the Illinois House of Representatives! The statewide support is growing daily with advocacy efforts beginning to ramp up as well. In the coming weeks, as the spring session of the General Assembly gains speed, we expect our efforts to gain momentum as well. We look forward to the bill’s lead sponsor, House Leader Greg Harris, addressing the IARF membership during next week’s Meeting of the Membership on this monumental legislation, and so much more! (Contact: Emily Miller)
STATIONMD CEO & FOUNDER HONORED WITH AAIDD 2022 LEADERSHIP AWARD
Recently, IARF Supporting Member, StationMD’s CEO and Founder, Dr. Matthew Kaufman received the 2022 Leadership Award given by the distinguished American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD). This award is presented for courage and dedication resulting in an outstanding contribution to the field of developmental disabilities. All of this year’s AAIDD Award recipients can be seen here. Behind his expertise and leadership, StationMD has grown into a robust system of specially trained and board-certified doctors, technologists, and support staff. The StationMD team delivers superior care to individuals with I/DD, reducing stress and costs for not only the patients but also their circles of support. StationMD is proud to be on the forefront of a paradigm change in delivering care to people with disabilities.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH OMNIMBUS AND IM+CANS BILLS FILED
This week, Senator Laura Fine filed the behavioral health omnibus bill that IARF staff, along with several other behavioral health partners, including Thresholds, CBHA, IABH, Healthy Minds Healthy Lives, and Illinois Partners, have collaborated on to help provide solutions to the ongoing behavioral health workforce crisis. SB 3617 includes language to remove the barriers to care through changes to the IM+CANS, creates the recovery and mental health tax credit for employers who employ persons in recovery, creates an advisory council to advise the department regarding employment of persons residing in minority communities, provides opportunities for practitioners from other states to begin employment in Illinois in a more timely manner, and more. In addition to the omnibus bill, Senator Sara Feigenholtz filed the language changes related to the IM+CANS in a separate, stand-alone bill as well, SB 3438. IARF members will discuss the full bill during next week’s Behavioral Health Committee meeting, including next steps in the advocacy process. (Contact: Emily Miller)
IDPH ISSUES UPDATED LTC COVID-19 GUIDANCE
On January 18th IDPH updated its LTC guidance in the areas of: vaccinations, Therapeutics (Oral antivirals and Monoclonal Antibody Therapy), Newly Identified Case in an HCP or Resident, Management of HCP with higher risk exposures or COVID-19 infections, Mitigation Strategies for Staffing Shortages, Indoor visitation during an outbreak, Communal Dining and Activities, etc. This updated guidance was previously distributed to our ICFDD Committee. (Contact: Luis Andrade)
WILL CONGRESS TAKE UP BBB LITE?
On Wednesday President Biden held a lengthy press conference that covered his first year in office and came in tandem with the failure of the Senate to pass voting rights legislation. During the presser, the President recognized the failure to pass the Build Back Better Act, but remained committed to elements of the underlying bill. Members will recall that back in December, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin indicated he could not support the BBB, which is crucial to passage. What does this mean?
There is very much reason for optimism that a smaller/modified version of the BBBA, and/or perhaps separate elements, could be back on the table for passage this calendar year. Clearly such an approach involves political maneuvering and work, and as such, our role continues to be to push for the $150 billion investment in HCBS in any version of a BBBA. Members earlier today saw that ANCOR, our national trade organization, issued a statement firmly stating its commitment to inclusion of these crucial resources in Congressional legislation. As we prepare for how negotiations will take shape, we ask all of Illinois’ Congressional Delegation to commit to inclusion of the HCBS funding and provisions in any potential package! (Contact: Josh Evans)
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REGION V CMS TO HOST ‘REAL TIME’ UPDATES
On the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month, staff with the Region V (our region) CMS Chicago Local Engagement and Administration are hosting a ‘Real Time’ 30-minute call/webinar with partners and stakeholders to share updates on topics for which interest has been expressed. The next call will be January 26th at 9:00 am, the subject being COVID-19 Updates. Understanding many of you will be joining us for our January Meeting of the Membership, we hope members of your team will be able to check in to this CMS opportunity. Take this link to register. (Contact: Josh Evans)
DMH ANNOUNCES QUARTERLY RULE 50 TRAINING REQUIREMENT CHECKS
In a letter to providers this week, DMH Director, Dr. David Albert, announced that, beginning this quarter, DMH will begin conducting random requests for signature logs or other Rule 50 training verification for community mental health providers. According to Rule 50, employees or representatives of community agencies are “required reporters” and are obligated to report suspicions, eyewitness accounts, or received information of abuse or neglect. All new employees are required to receive training on reporting, investigating, and documenting allegations of abuse and neglect, with additional requirements for existing employees to receive periodic refresher training. To view Dr. Albert’s full letter to providers, click here. (Contact: Emily Miller)
HCBS SETTINGS PRE-SCREEN SURVEY DUE FEBRUARY 15th
The goal of the HCBS settings rule is to assure people receiving services have access to community living that meets their needs and is of their choosing. The Division is charged with validating that all provider controlled/owned sites are in compliance by March 17, 2023 and recently released the HCBS Settings Pre-Screening Survey. This 10-question survey must be completed by providers for ALL provider controlled or owned sites including CILA, CDS, CGH, and CLF that receive HCBS waiver funding by February 15, 2022. More information, background and resources on the HCBS Settings Rule can be found on the Division of Developmental Disabilities HCBS Settings Rule Updates webpage. (Contact: Beth Owens)
JANUARY IS TECHNOLOGY MONTH AT THE BRAILLE INSTITUTE
This month is technology month at the Braille Institute. They are offering free workshops available online during January that include how-to topics such as using assistive technology devices like iPhones for independence and getting around, using audio devices and apps like Microsoft’s Soundscape, or using technology to cook. You can learn more and sign up for the free workshops on the Braille Institute's website. The same website also provides historical webinars showcasing enabling technologies. (Contact: Beth Owens)
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED IN TODAY’S HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES WORKFORCE EVENT
Hundreds of people gathered together (virtually) this morning to shine a light on the workforce crisis that continues to ravage through the health and human services sector in Illinois and all across the country. Advocates, providers of all types, direct care professionals, state workers, legislators, and more participated in today’s event to share stories, offer solutions, and provide support to each other as we continue to endure the impact of a years-long crisis that has only been exacerbated by the ongoing pandemic. A huge thank you to all those who were able to attend today’s event. A detailed recap of the event will be provided to members who were not able to attend this morning. (Contact: Emily Miller)
JANUARY 2022 EMPLOYMENT 1ST COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE WEBINAR
The Employment First Community of Practice webinar "NEON National Plan to Increase Competitive Integrated Employment" will be held on January 27 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. CST. In the webinar, Dr. David Mank and Dr. Richard Luecking will discuss the National Expansion of Employment Opportunities Network's national plan to increase Competitive Integrated Employment. Joining them will be leaders from National and Local Provider Organization, as well as advocates and people working in CIE positions. Registration for this webinar can be found HERE. (Contact: Beth Owens)
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