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Authors Posts by Carol Ferenz

Carol Ferenz

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Several provider associations sent a joint letter to the Deputy Secretary in April 2023, sharing concerns that members have expressed regarding the Supports Intensity Scale (SIS) reassessments, needs groups, needs levels, and the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) processes associated with changes to the above items and resulting rate changes. ODP shared that they would be engaging with AAIDD to perform a fidelity audit at the time.

We received a response from the Deputy Secretary that summarizes the findings of the audit and outlines actions that ODP plans to take in response. View the response here.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared the bulletin Home and Community-Based Waiver Services Provided to Individuals in an Acute Care Hospital along with its accompanying attachment. The purpose of this bulletin is to provide guidance on the delivery of home and community-based waiver services to individuals who are hospitalized in an acute care hospital. Please review the bulletin and attachment for information and details relevant to this topic.

This is a final reminder that the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) shared ODPANN 23-080: Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) Residential Provider Survey for Selective Contracting. The purpose of this announcement was to notify ODP providers rendering residential services (including residential habilitation, LifeSharing, and/or supported living) that they are required to complete a survey. The survey must be completed no later than November 9, 2023.

Please review the announcement and survey for additional information and details. Contact ODP directly with any questions.

Shot of a smiling little boy sitting in a white chair and holding his teddy bear while talking to a child psychologist

November 15, 2023
6:00 pm
Register Here

Hear from parents who have children with disabilities about when or how to have money conversations with their children. PATF’s “Family Companion” is a guide for parents, created by parents, that includes resources, practical tips, activities, and more to help families introduce financial topics to their children. This webinar will be recorded and emailed after the event to all who registered. If you have any questions or need assistance registering, please contact PATF at 484-675-0506 or via email.

VIRTUAL WORKSHOP
December 11, 12, 13, 14, & 15*, 2023
12:30 pm – 4:30 pm Eastern Time
*Optional 5th half day on December 15th for those wanting to become an NTG Affiliated Regional Trainer. See below for more information.
Register

The National Task Group’s (NTG) evidence-informed Dementia Capable Care of Adults with Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia is offered online as a four (4) half-day “foundation” workshop or a five (5) half-day “Train-the-Trainer” workshop. It is based on the NTG’s evidence-informed national model Education and Training Curriculum on Dementia and Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities and is held at various locations across the United States and Canada.

2 Day Foundation Workshop | $275

Target Audience: The workshop is appropriate for any staff with direct or ancillary care responsibilities of older adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in both disability-related, health care, and aging-related agencies.

Description: This highly interactive and evidence-informed workshop covers the basic concepts of care of an adult with ID and dementia.

Topics include:

  • Introduction to Aging & ID
  • Understanding Dementia in Adults with ID
  • What is Dementia? How Does it Present Differently in Adults with ID?
  • Early Detection and Screening for Dementia in ID
  • Obtaining a a Diagnosis
  • Health Care Advocacy for Adults with ID and Dementia
  • Understanding Challenging Behaviors in Adults with ID and Dementia
  • Non-pharmacologic Interventions for Behavior
  • Communication Tips & Strategies
  • Adapting the Physical Environment
  • Dementia Capable Residences
  • Stage-based Considerations

NTG Affiliated Regional Trainer (Train-the-Trainer) Workshop | $475

The first four (4) half-days of the workshop cover the topics outlined above in the Foundation Workshop.

A final half-day is added and is devoted to understanding and delivering the full NTG Dementia Capable Care Curriculum. NTG Affiliated Trainers are authorized to use NTG branded and copyrighted training materials to train within their own organization or to conduct training for outside agencies and organizations. Affiliated trainers have access to greatly expanded topic modules, trainer manual, free NTG continuing education webinars, and are mentored by NTG Master Trainers. Following completion of the workshop participants are required to successfully complete an online test of knowledge before they will be awarded a certificate of completion and receive NTG branded and copyrighted training materials.

For More Information or to Register

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared the announcement Additional Guidance for the End of Appendix K Flexibilities in the Consolidated, Community Living, Person/Family Directed Support (P/FDS) and Adult Autism Waivers. The purpose of the communication is to provide additional guidance on which Appendix K waiver flexibilities have been added to the approved intellectual disability/autism waivers (ID/A), which are the Consolidated, Community Living, and P/FDS Waivers, and the Adult Autism Waiver (AAW), as well as which Appendix K flexibilities will be ending November 11, 2023. You can view a quick guide for ID/A Waivers and a quick guide for the Adult Autism Waiver.

Please review all documents for additional information and details.