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November 13, 2020


 
"Trauma is trauma and it’s an enormous waste of time to rank your trauma against someone else’s.”
- Jason Kander, Veterans Community Project – Host of Majority54

Table of Contents:  
  • IARF Virtual Conference Continues Next Week
  • President-Elect Biden Making Decisions on Transition
  • Governor Pritzker Calls on Legislative Leaders to Assist with the Budget
  • DMH Mutual Aid Gathering Set for Tuesday
  • IARF Conference IM+CANS Session Summary
  • Illinois Joins Multi-State Effort to Address Suicide Rates Among Veterans
  • CMS Finalizes Managed Care Rule – Advances LTC Rebalancing Toolkit
  • Gov. Pritzker – IL on Verge of New Shutdown as COVID-19 Cases/Hospitalizations Surge
  • Illinois General Assembly Cancels Fall Veto Session
  • IDHS- DDD Releases Four COVID Related Information Bulletins
  • NEW DDD Employment Webpage
  • HRST To Begin Imposing Reinstatement Fees
  • COVID Testing and Positive Case Reporting for DD Providers
  • IDHS-DDD to Host RN Trainer Webinars
  • NAQ Webinar Low Cost & Free Technology Solutions Nov. 19
  • HRS Webinar: Actions Speak Louder than Words
  • Kennedy Forum Webinar on Wit v United Behavioral Health 11/23




IARF VIRTUAL CONFERENCE CONTINUES NEXT WEEK
The first half of the 2020 IARF Virtual Conference is over, but we aren’t finished yet! After an amazing line up this week, the IARF Virtual Conference continues into next week – November 17th & 18th – with another incredible line up of keynote speakers and dynamic breakout sessions. We kick off the second half of the event Tuesday morning with Barbara Merrill, CEO at ANCOR and Chuck Ingoglia, President & CEO at The National Council for Behavioral Health. 2020: Viewpoints from Our National Leaders will provide a preview/post-analysis of the election and implications for the future of the social safety net. Following the opening keynote are two rounds of breakout sessions with six different ones to choose from followed by our closing keynote session with Dr. Temple Grandin. A live, moderated Q&A through the eyes of someone who has made a career out of overcoming roadblocks put in her way you won’t want to miss!
 
The event continues Wednesday with opening keynote speaker, Allison Massari, who will take attendees on a journey in her moving and thought-provoking keynote, Thriving in Turbulent Times – Activating Courage and Confidence to Achieve Heroic Success followed by a live Q&A with Allison. The day continues with the final three breakout sessions of the event and one last opportunity to meet with exhibitors live in our virtual exhibit hall.  Then we wrap up the 2020 IARF Virtual Conference with our closing keynote speaker, Brian Wagner. In Wagner’s uplifting session, If You Could See What I See, will help attendees identify blind spots, build on what makes you unique and use that to encourage others!
 
If you have not registered for the event it’s not too late! Last-minute registration is now available through November 17th. Register to attend live events next week and access all recordings available after the event for continuing education. Don’t miss out – register today! Click here to learn more and register. (Contact: Maggie Henley)

PRESIDENT-ELECT BIDEN MAKING DECISIONS ON TRANSITION
President-Elect Joe Biden has published his transition website and has outlined his Agency Review Teams.  While cabinet level position announcements are not likely to be seen before the end of the month, the volunteers serving on the Agency Review Teams – notably the team leads – are likely to land key positions within the Administration post inauguration.  We also note this week the President-Elect has named Ronald Klain as his White House Chief of Staff. We are all still waiting on the GSA to formally initiate the transition process. 
 
We are tracking any inside baseball through our national membership organizations, as well as the updates from Politico (always interesting reads).  (Contact: Josh Evans)

GOVERNOR PRITZKER CALLS ON LEGISLATIVE LEADERS TO ASSIST WITH THE BUDGET
In the days following the failure of the Fair Tax to be adopted by voters, Governor Pritzker has made a number of public announcements about the pain that could be realized in the state budget.  This week, he sent a letter to the four legislative caucus leaders in the General Assembly on “convening a meeting with the two Democratic and two Republican legislative leaders. Our immediate focus should be on reconciling our FY21 budget and bringing it into balance this fiscal year.”
 
If you follow IARF on twitter, you’ll note we published a series of messages the last few days trying to inject facts into the current budgetary discussions – notably the ability the Administration has to avoid cuts to schools, healthcare settings, and our social safety net.  With less than six months into the fiscal year, the Administration has yet to maximize its borrowing authority to avoid potentially unnecessary cuts to the FY21 budget.  Furthermore, we continue to believe Congress is poised to act on a relief package before the end of the year, if not in the first quarter of calendar year 2021.
 
On November 20, the IARF Board of Directors will receive a formal update from our consultants at Taylor Uhe, LLC and our team on the status of the FY21 budget and the revenue projections for the coming year. This will also include discussion on approaches in this environment as the Board looks to set our budgetary, policy, and membership priorities for the coming year.  (Contact: Josh Evans)

DMH MUTUAL AID GATHERING SET FOR TUESDAY
Please join DMH Tuesday at 12 PM CT. Details below.  This week’s topic is Finding Happiness during a Pandemic. We’ll discuss 8 life hacks to finding happiness during a pandemic. To join on Tuesday,  click here: https://zoom.us/j/5448085473#success
(Contact: Dan Frey)

IARF CONFERENCE IM+CANS SESSION SUMMARY
On Wednesday at our IARF Virtual Conference, Kristine Herman of the Illinois Department of Healthcare & Family Services (HFS) presented on the IM+CANS assessment and portal.  The panel opened with an explanation of the tool, its goals, and HFS’ hopes for the integration of data to be a game-changer for behavioral health in Illinois.  Pushback on privacy and others issues from the “audience” were heard, and Ms. Herman received them respectfully, while not making any promises of changes to the tool.  IARF continues to work with our partners on issues surrounding the portal and its implementation date.  (Contact: Dan Frey)

ILLINOIS JOINS MULTI-STATE EFFORT TO ADDRESS SUICIDE RATES AMONG VETERANS
Illinois will join a national effort to address suicide rates among veterans by offering mental health and preventative services.
 
Governor Pritzker and the state’s Department of Human Services (DHS) will dedicate $2 million to the initiative, in partnership with the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs. Illinois is the 27th state to join the initiative, according to a release sent Monday by DHS.
 
Suicide was the 12th leading cause of death among Illinois residents of all ages last year, but the third-leading cause of death among those 24 and younger. (Contact: Dan Frey)
 
CMS FINALIZES MANAGED CARE RULE – ADVANCES LTC REBALANCING TOOLKIT
On November 9th, federal CMS published its Medicaid & CHIP Managed Care Final Rule.  While we wait on further analysis from our national membership groups, below are some of the modifications in the Rule from the fact sheet summary:
  • Setting Actuarially Sound Capitation Rates (Medicaid)
  • Pass-Through Payments (Medicaid)
  • State-Directed Payments (Medicaid)
  • Network Adequacy Standards (Medicaid and CHIP)
  • Risk Sharing Mechanisms (Medicaid)
  • Quality Rating System (Medicaid and CHIP)
  • Appeals and Grievances (Medicaid and CHIP)
  • Requirements for Beneficiary Information (Medicaid and CHIP)
Additionally, federal CMS published its Long-Term Services and Supports Rebalancing Toolkit, which aims to provide background information, resources, and promising practices that support state efforts to rebalance Medicaid long-term services and supports (LTSS) in favor of home-and community-based services (HCBS).  This 66-page document is also under review for insights and helpful information as we always look to system improvement, even during a worsening pandemic. (Contact: Josh Evans)
 
GOV. PRITZKER - IL ON VERGE OF NEW SHUTDOWN AS COVID-19 CASES/HOSPITALIZATIONS SURGE
Gov. JB Pritzker warned that Illinois could be on the verge of having to shut down again as state public health officials reported 12,702 new COVID-19 confirmed and probable cases, a one-day record, and 43 deaths Thursday. Illinois is seeing projections that are worse than what it saw this spring, Pritzker said. "The numbers don't lie," Gov. Pritzker said. "If things don't take a turn in the coming days, we will quickly reach the point when some form of a mandatory stay-at-home order is all that will be left.
 
The governor also recommended anyone thinking of traveling for, or hosting, Thanksgiving to quarantine for the next two weeks. He also reiterated the need for people to stay home as much as possible for the next three weeks. (Contact: Luis Andrade)

ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY CANCELS FALL VETO SESSION
The fall veto session of the Illinois General Assembly that was scheduled to begin next week has been canceled amid a worsening COVID-19 pandemic, Democratic leaders announced this week, prompting Republicans to question the motives behind that decision.

House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President Don Harmon, both Democrats, said in a joint statement that the decision was made out of concern for the safety of lawmakers, staff, their families and the general public, although they left open the possibility that it could be rescheduled if public health conditions improve.

Lawmakers typically hold a brief session in the fall to deal with any legislation from the regular session that was vetoed by the governor. This year’s session was scheduled to run Nov. 17-19 and Dec. 1-3.
This year, however, there were no vetoes to deal with, largely because the regular session was severely shortened due to the pandemic, which reached its initial peak in April and early May. The House and Senate held a brief, four-day special session in late May, under strict masking and social distancing requirements, after it appeared the pandemic was subsiding. (Contact: Luis Andrade)

DHS-DDD RELEASES FOUR COVID RELATED INFORMATION BULLETINS
Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities has released four COVID-19 related Information Bulletins.  The bulletins are listed below. (Contact: Beth Owens)
 
NEW DDD EMPLOYMENT WEBPAGE
The Division of Developmental Disabilities has announced a new Employment webpage. The employment page has the SELN recommendations, the DDD/DRS MOU as well as the recordings from both NDEAM webinars. There is also a section titled What is Competitive Integrated Employment that goes into greater detail breaking down the definition and providing examples. (Contact: Beth Owens)
 
HRST TO BEGIN IMPOSING REINSTATEMENT FEES
HRS will be notifying providers that effective December 1, 2020, providers that are more than 90 days past due on payment will have access to the HRST restricted. In order to reinstate access to the HRST, HRS, Inc. will be imposing a $250 reinstatement fee. HRS, Inc. will be notifying providers of their past due status, but please take note of the December 1 deadline.  Failure to maintain use of the online version of HRST by HRS, Inc. can result in the Division putting payments to your agency on hold, freezing future placements with your agency and/or termination of your CILA license. (Contact: Beth Owens)
 
COVID TESTING AND POSITIVE CASE REPORTING FOR DD PROVIDERS
IDPH’s webpage provides notice of mobile testing sites that are open to all regardless of symptoms. You can find the list HERE.   Local Health Departments (LHD) have the resources to provide testing and will also provide guidance and support to community providers.  LHDs should be consulted immediately if a positive COVID-19 case is identified. Additionally, the Division is asking agencies to report all COVID-19 positive individuals they support in their waiver funded residential program to their Independent Service Coordination (ISC) agency. You can find all provider reported data  HERE.  (Contact: Beth Owens)
 
IDHS-DDD TO HOST RN TRAINER WEBINARS
The Division has announced it will host an RN Nurse Trainer Medication Administration in the Community webinars series on November 17, 2020. There are 3 webinars, and all are required including a prerequisite webinar to be viewed prior to the two live webinars on November 17. Provider agency RN’s must register for each webinar.  You can find additional information and registration HERE. (Contact: Beth Owens)

NAQ WEBINAR LOW COST & FREE TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS NOV. 19
Join the NAQ for the Empowering Abilities through Technology with Low Cost Assistive Technology Solutions webinar with Samantha Moore. Assistive technology is all around us and many of these tools available for little or no cost.  This session will explore such assistive technologies commonly used at Donka, Inc. - a non-profit organization located in Wheaton, IL - that provides computer training and job readiness services to persons with disabilities.  These tools enable users to complete tasks more quickly, easily, or independently in a variety of settings - from home to work to the community.  This webinar will be held on November 19th from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm CST. To learn more and register, click here. (Contact: Maggie Henley)

HRS WEBINAR: ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS
Join HRS, Inc. for their webinar, Actional Speak Louder than Words: Behavioral Manifestations of Common Medical Conditions in People with I/DD, on December 3rd at 10:00 am.  Many people with IDD communicate pain and other ailments through their behavior. To the unaware provider, this may result in treatment of a perceived behavioral issue rather than the underlying medical issue that may be the cause of the behavior. This presentation will provide participants with knowledge of common behaviors that should prompt a medical evaluation. Specific behaviors and the common medical conditions that they may indicate will be discussed in a case study format. This webinar will:
  • Identify signs of medical conditions in people with IDD
  • Recite behaviors that might indicate the need for a medical evaluation in people with IDD
  • Demonstrate awareness of potential medical or dental underlying causes of behavioral issues
Click here to learn more and register today! For group registrations email webinars@hrstonline.com (Contact: Maggie Henley)

KENNEDY FORUM WEBINAR ON WIT V UNITED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH 11/23
On Monday, November 23 The Kennedy Forum is hosting a webinar on the implications of Wit v. United Behavioral Health for state and federal policy. A federal court recently ruled that United Behavioral Health (UBH), the largest managed behavioral health care company in the country, must reprocess nearly 67,000 originally denied mental health and substance use disorder benefit claims using medical necessity criteria developed by nonprofit clinical specialty associations—among other mandatory actions. Join three experts in this free webinar to unpack ramifications of the landmark ruling and explore what’s on the horizon. You can register for the webinar HERE (Contact: Dan Frey)













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Josh Evans - President & CEO  - jevans@iarf.org
Beth Owens - Vice President for Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Policy - bowens@iarf.org
Daniel M.O. Frey - Vice President for Behavioral Health Policy - dfrey@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













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