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While we continue to develop our submission for the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP), we wanted to share a summary of the comments that we will be submitting on January 31. We know that some of you would like to be able to utilize these comments in developing your own. The following are some of our major points of concern.
It is understood that the basis for the rate setting methodology are several assumptions of average costs of doing business. We have several concerns about the assumptions. By far the biggest expense lines for providers consist of staffing costs: salary and benefits. Several of these assumptions have a significant impact on the rates, and we believe that they are not based on accurate data.
Specific Service Rates
Overall, our concerns of the impact these rates will have on services not only relate to the provider system in our state, but also to the individuals and families who need and rely on these services to live an everyday life. As we have experienced throughout the pandemic and the undeniable staffing crisis, when families and individuals do not have the needed support from staff in their homes, it has an impact on their quality of life, their mental health and the family members’ abilities to keep their employment outside of their home. Individuals who have complex needs will be even more at risk since the services that are necessary to support those who have more intense support needs due to medical or behavioral challenges are not equitably considered in these proposed rates.
The rates act as disincentives to providers to serve those who are in need of higher levels of staff care. Providers cannot recruit and maintain a stable work force with competitive wages if there is not some type of annual CPI or COLA Rate increase.
The Coalition for the Preservation of 14c has just released a white paper, which it hopes you will find provides a fresh and insightful perspective on the value of 14(c) certificates, particularity for those individuals with the most significant intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Shared with RCPA by ACCSES:
The Office of Federal Contractor Compliance Programs (OFCCP) will hold a webinar at 2:00 pm EST on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, “on the registration process for OFCCP’s new Contractor Portal. Federal contractors are required to take affirmative action to provide equal employment opportunities. Federal contractors meeting specific jurisdictional thresholds are required to develop a written Affirmative Action Program (AAP) under each of the laws enforced by OFCCP. Covered federal contractors must use the Contractor Portal to certify, on an annual basis, whether they have developed and maintained an AAP for each establishment and/or functional unit, as applicable.”
The Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Advisory Board (Board), established under section 1252 of the Federal Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C.A. § 300d-52), will hold a virtual public meeting on February 4, 2022. Due to health concerns related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the virtual public meeting will be conducted by means of Microsoft Teams from 10:00 am–3:00 pm.
Meeting materials will be sent out before the virtual public meeting and will also be available on the Board’s website. Questions should be directed to Nicole Johnson. To join the Microsoft Teams meeting, call (267) 332-8737. The conference ID is 126 841 107#.
The Department of Health’s (DOH) Head Injury Program (HIP) strives to ensure that eligible individuals who have a TBI receive high quality rehabilitative services aimed at reducing functional limitations and improving quality of life. The TBI Board assists the DOH in understanding and meeting the needs of persons living with traumatic brain injury and their families. This quarterly virtual public meeting will provide updates on a variety of topics, including the number of people served by HIP. In addition, meeting participants will discuss budgetary and programmatic issues, community programs relating to traumatic brain injury, and available advocacy opportunities.
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) invites professionals across the service partnership to apply for the Capacity Building Institute. The Capacity Building Institute (CBI) aims to help professionals gain the skills necessary to support individuals with a dual diagnosis — intellectual disability with co-occurring mental health issues, and challenging behaviors.
Who?
Directed by Gregory Cherpes, MD, ODP Medical Director, and Dr. Beth Barol, CBI brings together a select group of professionals to learn with a faculty of national experts and speakers. CBI training is presented by the Co-Directors of the Institute in conjunction with an array of highly experienced practitioners and innovators in the field.
What?
Training topics include overviews of the following selected topics:
Where?
CBI will be held on the Zoom platform. Participants must have access to a computer, camera, and microphone.
When?
The deadline to submit the CBI Year 6 Interest Survey is February 18, 2022. 2022–2023 CBI two-day session dates are as follows:
Why?
Current best practices and supportive models that have shown to be most helpful are sometimes beyond the reach of people who work directly with individuals with a dual diagnosis. CBI addresses these issues from an individual and systemic level through training, integration of knowledge into practice, and opportunities to build a statewide cohort to work together to effect change and build capacity. The participants will share individual best practice experiences leading to recommendations to the Office of Developmental Programs and Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to facilitate a more effective delivery of services across systems.
How?
Whether you are applying as an individual or as part of a County Team, each person must separately complete the CBI Year 6 Interest Survey by 2/18/22 to express interest and confirm their ability to attend all sessions. There are a limited number of spaces available for participants. Separate email notification will be sent out to those people invited to attend the 2022–2023 sessions.
For more information, please see the following invitation or contact Marlinda Smith.