February ISAC Meeting Materials and Updates Now Available
ISAC
CARF Seeks Comments on New Accreditation Standards for Integrated Primary Care Specialty Designation
The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) recently convened an International Standards Advisory Committee (ISAC) to develop new accreditation standards for an Integrated Primary Care specialty designation. A specialty designation requires a program seeking accreditation to meet an additional set of standards that reflects its expertise in a specific type of service delivery or for a specific population of persons served. Integrating primary care into a mental health or substance use disorder program allows the program to holistically address the behavioral health, physical health, and social needs of the persons served, enhance the level of care provided, and improve outcomes for the persons served. Through the efforts of the ISAC, the program standards for Health Home were also updated. The final standards will be published in CARF’s 2026 standards manuals for Behavioral Health, Child and Youth Services, and Opioid Treatment Programs.
CARF is seeking comments on each of the proposed descriptions and standards. The deadline to submit comments is Tuesday, February 25.
Performance-Based Contracting Updates and ISAC Meeting Materials
ODP to Host Second Quarterly Residential Provider PBC Preparedness Forum
The Office of Development Programs (ODP) will be hosting the second quarterly residential provider forum to provide support provider Performance-Based Contracting (PBC) preparedness. During this session, ODP will provide a status update on PBC applications, review the PBC presented to the Information Sharing and Advisory Committee (ISAC) Provider Performance Review Subcommittee, review the emerging themes or trends with the application submissions, and offer the opportunity for providers to ask questions.
Audience: Residential Providers
Date: Monday, December 16, 2024
Time: 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm
Register Here
ODP ISAC Meeting Information Released
ODP Releases 2022-2023 Employment First Report
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has announced the release of the 2022-23 Employment First report. ODP believes that all people with an intellectual disability and/or autism must be encouraged to pursue their vision for an everyday life, which may include working in competitive integrated employment. Competitive integrated employment offers a person an opportunity to achieve economic independence, build self-confidence, enhance self-determination, and meet new people while building new skills. The Everyday Lives: Values in Action publication, developed by the ODP Information Sharing and Advisory Committee (ISAC) which includes self-advocates, reads, “Employment is a centerpiece of adulthood and must be available for every person. The benefits of employment for people with disabilities are significant and are the same as for people without disabilities.” This report serves as an update to all stakeholders on the progress that has been made to support individuals served by ODP on finding and maintaining competitive integrated employment.
Access the 2022-23 Employment First report here. This document can also be found by visiting the MyODP Employment Home page.
UPDATE: ISAC Meeting Held August 27, 2024
The Information Sharing and Advisory Committee (ISAC) met today and discussed several items of interest. Deputy Secretary Ahrens provided an update on the budget and Performance-Based Contracting, including changes made to the program based on public comment. The Deputy Secretary reported that more than 95% of current residential providers have signed a new contract, and a small number have submitted their data to be evaluated for a tier assignment in the first submission period. The majority of providers appear to be waiting until February 2025 to submit data for tier assignments.
UPDATE: The PowerPoint presentation is now available and can be viewed here.
ODP is still in the procurement process of finding a Performance Analysis Service (PAS) provider. Madeline Wagner has joined the ODP staff as the PBC Measure Coordinator and began in July. The Supports Coordinator Strategic Thinking Group is planning to reconvene on September 11, 2024.
ODP staff provided updates on the strategies that are being utilized to work toward ISAC recommendations. Recommendation #2, Promote Self-Direction, Choice & Control, and Recommendation #14, Racial Equity were reviewed.
Recommendation #1, Assure Effective Communication, and also Recommendation #8, Simplify the System, were also discussed.
ISAC Performance Review Subcommittee and ODP Updates
Today, both the ISAC Performance Review Subcommittee and the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee (MAAC) meetings were held. During these meetings, the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) announced that as a result of public comments received regarding Performance-Based Contracting, some adjustments are being made to the plans. Tomorrow, ODP will release an announcement with more details, but for now, we know the following:
- Residential providers will be offered a choice of when they are assigned into a tier. This will be based on which data they chose for ODP to review and make a tier determination upon. The choices will be:
- Calendar year 2023 data reviewed with notification of tier assignment occurring in November, to be effective January 1, 2025 – June 2026; or
- Review of Calendar year 2024 data with notification of tier assignment occurring in May, to be effective July 2025 – July 2026.
ODP plans to submit the proposed waiver to CMS on July 19, 2024.
In addition, the presentation from the MAAC meeting can be found here.
Documents from the Performance Review Subcommittee can be found below:
ODP Shares 2024 ISAC Recommendations for New and Updated Strategies
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 24-060. This announcement informs ODP stakeholders that the 2024 Everyday Lives: Values in Action — Information Sharing and Advisory Committee (ISAC) Recommendations & Strategies document, with new and updated strategies, is now available on the MyODP website. View the announcement for details.
ISAC June Meeting Information and Materials Now Available
The Information Sharing and Advisory Committee (ISAC) met today, June 11, 2024. Deputy Secretary Ahrens presented an update regarding Performance-Based Contracting. The office received comments from approximately 100 commentators, resulting in over 700 separate comments regarding the proposed Selective Contracting Waiver.
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has released several tools for providers to utilize and has scheduled four summits to delve deeper into the specifics for the performance measures. Providers who do not meet all standards for the Primary category but are not in the conditional status will be placed in the Primary category with a corrective action plan required. Residential provider agreements will not need to be returned to ODP until the end of July, rather than June, as previously stated.
There are several federal rules that have been finalized recently, and Deputy Secretary Ahrens gave an overview of these.
Candi Walton reported on Recommendation #4: Support Families Throughout the Lifespan.
StationMD presented an overview of their services. Geoff Musti can be reached via email for more information.
Lauren House presented information on Recommendation #10: Expanding Housing Options and the ODP Housing Pilot Update.
Dr. Greg Cherpes provided an update on Recommendation #5: Promote Health, Wellness, and Safety & Recommendation, and Recommendation #6: Support People with Complex Need. Note that both recommendations are included in the same document.
For any questions, contact Carol Ferenz.
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