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June 3, 2014 CALENDAR OF EVENTS Sponsor: APSE Title: Raising Student Knowledge Date: June 5, 2014 Registration: Here Sponsor: IN*SOURCE Title: Bullying at School & Children with Autism Date: June 9, 2014 Registration: Here Sponsor: IFF Title: IFF Framework Facility Planning & Financing Workshop Date: June 17, 2014 Registration: Here Sponsor: ANCOR Title: Personal Outcome Measures® and Person-Centered Planning Date: June 19, 2014 Registration: Here Sponsor: APSE Title: APSE National Conference Date: July 1-3, 2014 Registration: Here Sponsor: Hall, Render Title: The Employee Relationship from Beginning to End Date: July 24, 2014 Registration: Here Sponsor: IN-ASPE Title: 24th Annual Conference Date: November 19-21, 2014 Registration: Here View all events>> JOB POSTINGS Dungarvin Indiana, LLC -Human Resource Specialist Easter Seals Crossroads -Employment Consultant Hopewell Center -Human Resources Director LifeDesigns, Inc. -Chief Services Officer -Network Director Mosaic -Executive Director -Executive Director Pathfinder Services, Inc. -HR Generalist -Marketing Director Stone Belt Arc, Inc. -Director of Supervised Group Living Wabash Center, Inc. -Day Service Manager View all jobs>> WIOA Contains Many Changes by Few Surprises The United States Senate and House of Representatives have reached a bipartisan agreement on the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) after many months of negotiation. The Act, overdue for reauthorization for more than a decade, modernizes the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) that it will soon replace. While much of the language in the WIOA remains unchanged, several significant revisions will have a direct impact on the disability services provider community. Prior to this compromise, the Senate version of the bill moved the Rehabilitation Services Administration to the Department of Labor, a concerning situation to providers and state Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services alike. In the final version, VR was left under the Department of Education, although Centers for Independent Living and the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research will be relocated to the Administration for Community Living of the Department of Health and Human Services. A key focus of the WIOA is on competitive, integrated employment, a phrase that appears throughout the Act. Similar to language that has been used by the Department of Labor and the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), it emphasizes compensation at or above minimum wage and interaction with non-disabled coworkers as components of successful job placement. Customized Employment and Supported Employment are both categorized and defined as means to achieve this outcome. Supported Employment, itself, has been clarified to be short-term in nature, although the time in service (without reauthorization) has been increased from 18 to 24 months. Another key provision limits the use of special minimum-wage certificates under section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Under this new section, individuals with disabilities that are aged 24 or younger may not enter into employment at sub-minimum wage unless one of three criteria is met: 1. The individual is already in such an employment situation prior to the WIOA being enacted, 2. The individual is not eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation Services, or 3. The individual has enrolled in Vocational Rehabilitation, services have been provided for an adequate amount of time, transition services and counseling have taken place, and all have been unsuccessful. All individuals, regardless of age, must have career counseling, self-advocacy training, referrals to employment programs, and make an informed decision prior to employment at sub-minimum wage. This counseling must be repeated every six months for the first year of employment, and annually thereafter. To guide the Department of Labor (DOL) in modernizing employment programs, the Act directs the Secretary of Labor to form an Advisory Committee on Competitive Integrated Employment. This group will provide recommendations to the DOL on ways to increase competitive outcomes and ways to improve oversight of 14(c). Finally, the Act shifts major emphasis to Pre-Employment Transition Services for individuals with disabilities. State Vocational Rehabilitation agencies are required to ensure that transitioning students receive job exploration counseling, work-based learning, workplace readiness training, and self-advocacy skills, among other things. Additionally, each local office is required to attend IEP meetings when invited. The Act would also require 15% or more of a state’s VR allotment must be used specifically for transition services. These changes should come as no surprise to provider agencies, as they are consistent with other related issues like the CMS Home and Community Based Settings rule and the U.S. Department of Justice’s recent Rhode Island Consent Decree. Although not yet law, the leadership of the authorizing committees are devoted to getting the WIOA passed before the August recess. Many of the provisions have been anticipated in Indiana's State Plan, and all are being taken into account as INARF develops recommendations for a new vocational rehabilitation model and funding methodology. DDRS Provides Clarifiation, Updates on Wellness Coordination In our ongoing efforts to ensure member agencies have the appropriate tools and guidance needed to deliver Wellness Coordination services, INARF has been working collaboratively with the Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS) to respond to requests and questions posed to us by our members. DDRS has been very attentive to our feedback, and has taken action to clarify and improve the information available to service providers. DDRS recently announced that the "Wellness Coordination: A Guide for Providers" has been replaced with a Wellness Coordination Frequently Asked Questions document and a revised Wellness Coordination Service Definition. These documents provide additional guidance on service tier requirements, timelines, and documentation, use of the Advocare system and data points. These documents were developed with input from INARF and its members. The Division was responsive to this feedback and very focused on providing comprehensive guidance to support effective service delivery. INARF encourages members to review the FAQ and Service Definition and share any additional questions or concerns with INARF by e-mailing Keith Digman at keith@inarf.org or directly with the Division by e-mailing BQISHelp@fssa.in.gov. Davis Lays Out Vision for the Future of Quality Improvement Why do we do this? Does it make sense? Is what we are doing beneficial? Anne Davis is using these questions as a guide in her new role as Bureau of Quality Improvement Services (BQIS) Director to ensure that the Bureau's work is appropriately focused on true quality improvement. Breaking away from the idea that we continue to do things because "we've always done [them] this way," Davis is looking to develop processes in partnership with providers and other stakeholders so that BQIS activities are meaningful. Davis shared with attendees at the May INARF Quarterly Professional Interest Section meeting how she is using these inquiries to shape the Bureau's work for the next year. Specifically, she identified her "bucket list" of system improvements that should work together to result in quality providers, appropriate monitoring, meaning full data analysis, and effective technical assistance. The common themes associated with these improvements include the efficient collection of pertinent information and data; reasonable timeframes for thoughtful analysis and planning; and assurance of appropriate training and support. From Davis' perspective, the efforts should result in proactive service improvements developed collaboratively through reliance on relevant data. Davis' remarks built on comments she shared earlier that week during the Quarterly Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services Provider Meeting. In addition to her comments on the direction of BQIS, the Provider meeting featured remarks from the: - Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services on Family Support Waiver targeting project and efforts to gather feedback on the Community Integration and Habilitation Waiver re-write. - Bureau of Child Development on recent cluster changes and new federal requirements to develop a State Systemic Improvement Plan. - Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Services on the draft 2015 Vocational Rehabilitation State Plan, which focuses efforts on quality outcomes for individuals placed in competitive employment. The DDRS Provider meeting wrapped up with comments from Division Director Nicole Norvell highlighting accomplishments from the last year and outlining DDRS key issues and initiatives moving forward. These initiatives include responding to the new definition of Home and Community-Based Services by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and improving the information provided to support consumers in learning about and selecting service providers. Former CEO's Inducted into ANCOR Legacy Leaders Circle Former INARF CEOs Costa Miller and Jim Hammond were inducted into the ANCOR Legacy Leaders Circle on May 4th as part of ANCOR's annual conference activities. The Legacy Leaders Circle honors the finest and most influential leaders in the disability services industry, while creating an endowment to fund the development of future leaders in our field. INARF sought the recognition as part of its 40th Anniversary celebration. Many thanks to Developmental Services, Inc, Dungarvin of Indiana, Hillcroft Services, New Horizons Rehabilitation, Inc. and Unity of Indiana for their support in securing the awards. Jim Hammond and Costa Miller's children - Jill Schott and Costa Miller Jr. - were on hand to accept the awards. News Around the State In response to a series of articles in the Bloomington Herald Times about the direct support workforce crisis, INARF Members Stone Belt Arc and LifeDesigns are weighing in on the issue. For its part, Stone Belt organized a first of its kind community forum on May 21st titled "The Care Gap Crisis: A Community Discussion." The forum include a panel presentation that highlighted the impact of this crisis on persons served, the agencies that support them, and the community, as a whole. Two local legislators - Rep. Matt Pierce (D-Bloomington) and Rep. Matt Ubelhor (R-Linton) - participated in the panel offering their insight into the issue and more importantly how the community can advocate with the legislature. LifeDesign CEO, Susan Rinne, and Board President, Brian O'Neill wrote an op-ed on the issue, published in the Herald-Times in mid-May. The piece stressed the importance the Direct Support Professional (DSP) in the provision of quality services and the need for community support. They promoted reasonable, long-term solutions like adopting the National Core Indicators and the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services Quality Framework, as well as the need to ensure funding reflects all costs associated with making the DSP role strong and stable for the future. #### First Chance Center is holding their 17th Annual Golf Scramble on July 16, 2014 at the beautiful Donald Ross Championship PGA Golf Course in French Lick, IN. For more information please contact Debbie Wilson or Louise O'Connell or call 812-723-4486. #### Jay-Randolph Developmental Services, Inc (JRDS) partnered with local rotary members to donate a 2008 Chevrolet Uplander and more than $1,500 for gas and maintenance to The Journey Home, an organization which assists veterans with addictions. #### Indiana Professional Management Group (IMPG) is investigating ways in which they can better serve individuals who do not speak English, and whose families also have limited English capabilities. If your organization has experience with bilingual communications, IMPG asks that you complete this survey. #### Janus Developmental Services, Inc was recently awarded a grant from The Vectren Foundation. The grant will help fund Janus' Computer Technology Learning Project. #### Congratulations to Holly Piggott, ResCare, Inc. for winning the $50 Amazon Gift Card! Holly's name was drawn from respondents of the INARF Member Needs and Resources survey. Information of Interest INARF recently submitted comments and recommendations for both the Community Integration and Habilitation Waiver re-write and the Vocational Rehabilitation State Plan. The feedback was developed with the assistances of various committees, work groups, and members with subject matter expertise. Should you have questions on the recommendations, please contact Christiaan Campbell at christiaan@inarf.org. #### HCBSadvocacy.org was recently launched by The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD), The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN), and The Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD). As the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) rule comes to life, this blog-style site is meant to be a tool for national and state organizations, which advocate for individuals who are aging or have disabilities. #### The Social Security Administration announced this week the publication of an updated Disability Benefits Guide, also known as the "Red Book." The Ticket-to-Work Guide was also updated. Both are available on the SSA Website. #### TASH, an international leader in disability advocacy, is attempting to collect data on how (and when) persons with disabilities are put under guardianship/conservatorship. Click here to take the survey. #### The University of New Hampshire's Institute on Disability (IOD) in partnership with the Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services is conducting a survey of how the current service system in Indiana serves individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability (I/DD) and a co-occurring mental/behavioral health challenge. All INARF member staff are encouraged to compete the survey by visiting Indiana Community Support Services Survey. INARF'S RUBY ANNIVERSARY: CELBRATING FORTY YEARS OF GROWTH & INFLUENCE
WIOA Contains Many Changes by Few Surprises
The United States Senate and House of Representatives have reached a bipartisan agreement on the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) after many months of negotiation. The Act, overdue for reauthorization for more than a decade, modernizes the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) that it will soon replace. While much of the language in the WIOA remains unchanged, several significant revisions will have a direct impact on the disability services provider community. Prior to this compromise, the Senate version of the bill moved the Rehabilitation Services Administration to the Department of Labor, a concerning situation to providers and state Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services alike. In the final version, VR was left under the Department of Education, although Centers for Independent Living and the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research will be relocated to the Administration for Community Living of the Department of Health and Human Services. A key focus of the WIOA is on competitive, integrated employment, a phrase that appears throughout the Act. Similar to language that has been used by the Department of Labor and the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), it emphasizes compensation at or above minimum wage and interaction with non-disabled coworkers as components of successful job placement. Customized Employment and Supported Employment are both categorized and defined as means to achieve this outcome. Supported Employment, itself, has been clarified to be short-term in nature, although the time in service (without reauthorization) has been increased from 18 to 24 months. Another key provision limits the use of special minimum-wage certificates under section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Under this new section, individuals with disabilities that are aged 24 or younger may not enter into employment at sub-minimum wage unless one of three criteria is met: 1. The individual is already in such an employment situation prior to the WIOA being enacted, 2. The individual is not eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation Services, or 3. The individual has enrolled in Vocational Rehabilitation, services have been provided for an adequate amount of time, transition services and counseling have taken place, and all have been unsuccessful. All individuals, regardless of age, must have career counseling, self-advocacy training, referrals to employment programs, and make an informed decision prior to employment at sub-minimum wage. This counseling must be repeated every six months for the first year of employment, and annually thereafter. To guide the Department of Labor (DOL) in modernizing employment programs, the Act directs the Secretary of Labor to form an Advisory Committee on Competitive Integrated Employment. This group will provide recommendations to the DOL on ways to increase competitive outcomes and ways to improve oversight of 14(c). Finally, the Act shifts major emphasis to Pre-Employment Transition Services for individuals with disabilities. State Vocational Rehabilitation agencies are required to ensure that transitioning students receive job exploration counseling, work-based learning, workplace readiness training, and self-advocacy skills, among other things. Additionally, each local office is required to attend IEP meetings when invited. The Act would also require 15% or more of a state’s VR allotment must be used specifically for transition services. These changes should come as no surprise to provider agencies, as they are consistent with other related issues like the CMS Home and Community Based Settings rule and the U.S. Department of Justice’s recent Rhode Island Consent Decree. Although not yet law, the leadership of the authorizing committees are devoted to getting the WIOA passed before the August recess. Many of the provisions have been anticipated in Indiana's State Plan, and all are being taken into account as INARF develops recommendations for a new vocational rehabilitation model and funding methodology.
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Indiana Professional Management Group (IMPG) is investigating ways in which they can better serve individuals who do not speak English, and whose families also have limited English capabilities. If your organization has experience with bilingual communications, IMPG asks that you complete this survey.
Janus Developmental Services, Inc was recently awarded a grant from The Vectren Foundation. The grant will help fund Janus' Computer Technology Learning Project.
Congratulations to Holly Piggott, ResCare, Inc. for winning the $50 Amazon Gift Card! Holly's name was drawn from respondents of the INARF Member Needs and Resources survey.
The Social Security Administration announced this week the publication of an updated Disability Benefits Guide, also known as the "Red Book." The Ticket-to-Work Guide was also updated. Both are available on the SSA Website.
TASH, an international leader in disability advocacy, is attempting to collect data on how (and when) persons with disabilities are put under guardianship/conservatorship. Click here to take the survey.
The University of New Hampshire's Institute on Disability (IOD) in partnership with the Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services is conducting a survey of how the current service system in Indiana serves individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability (I/DD) and a co-occurring mental/behavioral health challenge. All INARF member staff are encouraged to compete the survey by visiting Indiana Community Support Services Survey.
INARF'S RUBY ANNIVERSARY: CELBRATING FORTY YEARS OF GROWTH & INFLUENCE