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May 2, 2014 CALENDAR OF EVENTS Sponsor: INARF Title: Person-Centered Planning & Individual Support Plan Facilitator Training Date: May 6, 2014 Registration: Waiting List Sponsor: INARF Title: 2014 INARF TPD Conference Retreat Date: May 8, 2014 Registration: Here Sponsor: APSE Title: Crucial Components of Effective Transition Programs (Webinar) Date: May 8, 2014 Registration: Here Sponsor: Sonya Ansari Center for Autism Title: Autism Family Support Meeting Date: May 8, 2014 Registration: Here Sponsor: APSE Title: Assistive Technology...(Webinar) Date: May 14, 2014 Registration: Here Sponsor: INARF Title: INARF Quarterly Professional Interest Section Date: May 15, 2014 Registration: Here Sponsor: IN*SOURCE Title: Advocating for the Special Needs Foster Child (Webinar) Date: May 21, 2014 Registration: Here Sponsor: Great Lakes Capital Fund Title: University of Affordable Housing, Annual Education Conference Date: May 21-22, 2014 Registration: Here Sponsor: HANDS in Autism® Title: Intensive Training for Families and Caregivers Date: June 2, 2014 Registration: Here Sponsor: APSE Title: Raising Student Knowledge...(Webinar) Date: June 5, 2014 Registration: Here Sponsor: APSE Title: APSE National Conference Date: July 1-3, 2014 Registration: Here View all events>> JOB POSTINGS New Hope of Indiana -Home Based Therapist -Manager, Day Services Passages, Inc. -Group Home Manager Logan Community Resources, Inc. -Nursing Services Manager Noble -Nurse-RN/LPN Damar Services, Inc. -Outpatient Counselor (contracted) Dungarvin -Program Director (QDDP) -Nursing Services Manager -Nurse -Nurse View all jobs>> Rhode Island Settles DOJ Findings of ADA/Olmstead VIolations Rhode Island has entered into a consent decree with the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) to remedy its findings that the state over-utilized facility-based employment programs and placed transition age students with disabilities at risk for segregation. This state-wide agreement, the first of its kind, is likely to become the format for other DOJ settlements, according to an analysis by the American Congress of Community Support and Employment Services (ACCSES). Specifically, the DOJ found that the State of Rhode Island violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and the historic Olmstead decision, which require that individuals with disabilities must be served in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs. Only 12% of the individuals who are served in Rhode Island participate in integrated employment, with the vast majority receiving services in facility-based programs. Additionally, the investigation determined that only 5% of secondary school students with an intellectual or developmental disability transitioned into integrated employment, although many more were able and willing to do so. The settlement calls for a shift in funding from facility-based employment services to community-based employment and day services. Over a 10 year period, Rhode Island has agreed to place 2,000 individuals in competitive, integrated employment, 1650 of which currently receive facility-based services. Work hours are expected to average 20 per week, with community-based day services rounding out the week to a full 40 hours. Individuals will be allowed to remain in facility-based employment if they choose, but only after receiving a vocational assessment, trial work, information, and benefits' counseling. The decree also requires Rhode Island's Department of Education to adopt a work first policy, emphasizing competitive employment for transitioning students with disabilities. Rhode Island is the latest in a string of three states that the DOJ has found to be overly reliant on facility-based day and employment services. The DOJ findings focus on the states' failure to implement policies, funding, and practices that permit individuals to meaningfully access integrated, community-based day and employment services. It is important to note that Rhode Island actively participated in negotiating the settlement agreement, so that it fit their unique circumstances. Whether the settlement represents a bellwether on the future of facility-based services remains to be seen. There is no question that states, including Indiana, will continue to consider these developments in their efforts to respond to aligning day and employment services with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services' recent definition of home and community based services. Providers and consumers remain split on whether these activities represent good public policy. What is certain is that INARF will focus its efforts on keeping members informed, providing assistance in responding to these efforts, and as always, advocating for options, access, and choice. INARF: Pushing the Envelope for Progress By Jim Hammond What started in 1974 as a pipe dream among leaders of community agencies committed to improving services for people with disabilities became a reality when the Indiana Association of Rehabilitation Facilities was formally funded by Lilly Endowment in that same year. For the first two-thirds of the century, society's caring functions were the work of government and the charities of the day. Due to the efforts of like-minded leaders, families and advocates, new models of service emerged. People with disabilities were moving to the community and agencies were founded to provide essential services. Leaders of these community agencies met regularly in informal gatherings to discuss challenges and establish a collective voice. The agendas of this dedicated workgroup were consumed with the development or acquisition of buildings, finding adequate resources, discovering solutions to important questions and identifying work and work-related activities. This "cause celebre" was not dissimilar in most states; it was just that many states on the east coast and in the nation's Midwest were in acceleration mode to get things done - not tomorrow, but today. Indiana's solution was simple: founding leaders felt that in order to be effective on a sustained basis, it was imperative to create an Association. In 1974, the Lilly Endowment provided funding to support a new and growing membership organization known as the Indiana Association of Rehabilitation Facilities, Inc. (INARF). Lilly and others throughout Indiana responded to the immediate and critical need to establish a leadership mechanism at the state level would improve public policy, provide a communication network for improved business services and create an opportunity for growth. The prevalent thinking at the time was that more could be accomplished where a partnership existed such as those born from the Great Society of the Lyndon Johnson Presidency. This pattern helped segue the initial work between the Federal Government and philanthropic groups, state government/community agencies and thus trade associations. To underscore the dynamics of legislation and the building of the industry's infrastructure, one must realize what was occurring on the Federal level between 1973 -1980. First, President John Kennedy's Community Mental Health Act in 1963 authorized funding for developmental research centers in university affiliated facilities and community facilities for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD). This was the first of its kind. Other critical legislative actions were: >The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was passed >Education of All Handicapped Children Act passed (Forerunner to IDEA) >Small Business Investment Act (Handicapped Assistance Loans) passed >Javits-Wagner O'Day Act (JWOD) was amended The confluence of these legislative acts set an aggressive work agenda for newly formed INARF and its members. They had to be ready and "at the table." After the initial Lilly grant concluded, a significant decision was made to define INARF's core services, and to support those services through an equitable dues base. The core services which remain true today include: information, representation in the public policy arena (legislatively and administratively), active committees and education & training programs for staff development. These were developed accordingly and refined through the decade that followed. Sparse resources and the clamor for increased coordination and collaboration caused a call to action on two fronts from the late 1980s through the late 1990s. At INARF's urging, a Supported Employment Coordinating Council was formed and chaired by Governor Robert Orr's Executive Assistant. The Council's mission was to bring three state agencies together to provide resources and streamline policies to develop supported employment services targeted towards Indiana's businesses and industries. This was an investment in the future and an important statement by the state and by INARF. Secondly, by 1998, INARF created legislative support for SB 317 which created a commission to study and make recommendations for the redesign of the developmental disability service system. Their set of recommendations called for an immediate investment of new money into the system and for all money saved by the closing of existing institutions to be reverted into community services. Other important recommendations were: to provide for the transition of people with disabilities from congregate to more community integrated settings; to plan and design programs which facilitated this transition; and to deploy new money into the system at each budget session. In more recent years, revenue for services, grew from about $15 million late in the 70's to about $750 million by the turn of the century (2000). So, if the ultimate question was "is INARF effective," the answer had to be a resounding yes. It was a concerted effort by INARF and its members to generate ample funds for community services. This was the case then and it will most likely always be the case. As the system has changed and adapted through this growth, so has INARF - changing from a small group to an inclusive industry of committed professionals. It has changed its thinking on some issues and its models of service in order to adapt to the way that members' participation is changing. The 21st century INARF has "preserved the core and has stimulated progress" in an extremely coordinated and collaborative manner. The organization continually adapts to what is wanted and expected as a result of the generational shifts in the workforce, social changes, and the technology-eased access to content, community and decisions. Staff Spotlight - Harley Ehrman INARF recently welcomed Harley Ehrman as its new Communications and Marketing Coordinator. In this role, Harley will provide coordination and support for multiple priorities related to INARF's communications and marketing initiatives. Bringing a passion for aligning form and function for the benefit of the end user, Harley will play a key part in efforts to improve the Association's communication strategies. Harley Ehrman is an alumnus of Indiana University and holds a BA in English as well as a Graduate Certificate in Professional Editing. Most of Harley's history has been in communications and publishing. For Harley, the consistent theme in that history was focused on understanding how things function, how they are being used, and how they can be improved. Harley is looking forward to bringing this focus to work with the Association and its members. News Around the State Archie D. Sanders, 78, of Versailles died Friday, April 25, 2014, at the Waters of Clifty Falls in Madison. He was born on July 27, 1935, and raised by Oscar and Lydia White. Mr. Sanders served as the CEO of the Opportunity Center, and later of Sandstone Industries. He also worked in Vocational Rehabilitation and was a consultant in the area of Social Security and disability. #### Grace Church recently awarded its "Giving Beyond the Walls" grant to Janus Developmental Services for their Doorway Program's Out and About project and the Aktion Club. #### Caregiver Homes, Inc was recently highlighted in the Ohio Association of County Board's DD Advocate magazine. The magazine tells the story of how Structured Family Caregiving and Person Centered planning add to the quality of life for disabled persons. #### CDC Resources has announced that Executive Director Michael Cruz will be retiring after 21 years of outstanding service. Onias Taruwinga has been named his successor, effective June 2, 2014. Taruwinga previously served as Executive Director of Mosiac in Terre Haute. #### Insights Consulting was ranked in the top five places to work in Indiana, according to a survey of mid-size companies conducted by WorkplaceDynamics. This INARF member was also honored as the winner of the Most Meaningful Place to Work Category. Click here to view winners... #### The Bloomington Herald-Times (HT) recently published an article describing the challenges of direct care professional turnover on individuals with disabilities and the agencies that serve them. The HT reported that Medicaid's low reimbursement for residential services has stagnated the wages of caretakers at a rate below self-sufficiency level, noting more than a third are eligible for food stamps. The article goes on to discuss the impact of wages on turnover, which in turn impacts individuals served. Information of Interest INARF members have the opportunity to provide critical feedback to the Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS) as the draft the re-write of the Community Integration and Habilitation (CIH) Waiver. Specifically, the Division is asking stakeholders to review the currently approved CIH Waiver Amendment and offer public comment on needed changes or modifications. INARF is in the process of drafting comments on behalf of the Association and will share those once finalized. Comments should be submitted to DDRSpolicies@fssa.IN.gov by May 25, 2014. #### The next Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS) Provider meeting has been scheduled for Monday, May 12, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (EST). Providers are welcome to attend in person at the Indiana Government Center South Auditorium, or via webinar. The agenda and instructions for accessing the webinar will be sent in advance of the meeting date. #### Late last week, the Office of Medicaid Policy & Planning held a briefing on its plans to develop and launch a Coordinated Care Pilot Program for certain individuals within the Aged, Blind, and Disabled Medicaid eligibility category. The pilot's design was informed by the research conducted in response to House Enrolled Act 1328. The pilot will include an estimated 75,000 individuals with disabilities, including individuals currently enrolled in Care Select. Excluded populations include: >Individuals who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid >Individuals receiving institutional care (e.g. nursing facilities, ICFs/IDD) >Individuals receiving HCBS waiver services A Request for Information was released on April 16 seeking feedback from prospective vendors, as to ways to refine the proposed model. Responses to the RFI are due by May 1st and a subsequent Request for Proposals is anticipated by May 15th. OMPP anticipates selecting a vendor by this Fall and beginning the pilot on January 1st. #### NBC News recently reported on one father's unique approach to creating employment opportunities for his son and others on the autism spectrum. With an eye to aligning his sons strengths with various business options, John D'Erico focused on creating not just an opportunity but a self-sustaining business model. Click here to read the full article... #### May is Older American's Month and the Administration for Community Living named injury prevention as the theme! Take action by clicking here for tips and resources on how to prevent injuries. #### The National Alliance for Medicaid in Education (NAME) named John Hill as its Executive Director, effective April 1, 2014. Hill was one of NAME's founding members and has been working for the benefit of persons with disabilities for 40 years. Prior to this appointment, he served as the Director of Policy, Planning and Program Development with the Division of Disability & Rehabilitative Services in Indiana's Family and Social Services Administration (DDRS). Hill was recently honored with INARF's 2014 Career Recognition Award. Click here to read the full article... SURVEY: SOCIAL MEDIA As we move forward with our digital presence, we want to make sure we're moving with you. By completing this survey, you'll help us understand how we can more easily communicate with you through social media. <<Click here to take the survey>> Thanks to Rauch for sending in this groups shot with Rubi! <<Click here to send your own>> INARF'S RUBY ANNIVERSARY: CELEBRATING FORTY YEARS OF GROWTH & INFLUENCE
Sponsor: INARF Title: Person-Centered Planning & Individual Support Plan Facilitator Training Date: May 6, 2014 Registration: Waiting List Sponsor: INARF Title: 2014 INARF TPD Conference Retreat Date: May 8, 2014 Registration: Here Sponsor: APSE Title: Crucial Components of Effective Transition Programs (Webinar) Date: May 8, 2014 Registration: Here Sponsor: Sonya Ansari Center for Autism Title: Autism Family Support Meeting Date: May 8, 2014 Registration: Here Sponsor: APSE Title: Assistive Technology...(Webinar) Date: May 14, 2014 Registration: Here Sponsor: INARF Title: INARF Quarterly Professional Interest Section Date: May 15, 2014 Registration: Here Sponsor: IN*SOURCE Title: Advocating for the Special Needs Foster Child (Webinar) Date: May 21, 2014 Registration: Here Sponsor: Great Lakes Capital Fund Title: University of Affordable Housing, Annual Education Conference Date: May 21-22, 2014 Registration: Here Sponsor: HANDS in Autism® Title: Intensive Training for Families and Caregivers Date: June 2, 2014 Registration: Here Sponsor: APSE Title: Raising Student Knowledge...(Webinar) Date: June 5, 2014 Registration: Here Sponsor: APSE Title: APSE National Conference Date: July 1-3, 2014 Registration: Here
View all events>>
New Hope of Indiana -Home Based Therapist -Manager, Day Services Passages, Inc. -Group Home Manager Logan Community Resources, Inc. -Nursing Services Manager Noble -Nurse-RN/LPN Damar Services, Inc. -Outpatient Counselor (contracted) Dungarvin -Program Director (QDDP) -Nursing Services Manager -Nurse -Nurse
View all jobs>>
Rhode Island Settles DOJ Findings of ADA/Olmstead VIolations
Archie D. Sanders, 78, of Versailles died Friday, April 25, 2014, at the Waters of Clifty Falls in Madison. He was born on July 27, 1935, and raised by Oscar and Lydia White. Mr. Sanders served as the CEO of the Opportunity Center, and later of Sandstone Industries. He also worked in Vocational Rehabilitation and was a consultant in the area of Social Security and disability.
####
Grace Church recently awarded its "Giving Beyond the Walls" grant to Janus Developmental Services for their Doorway Program's Out and About project and the Aktion Club.
Caregiver Homes, Inc was recently highlighted in the Ohio Association of County Board's DD Advocate magazine. The magazine tells the story of how Structured Family Caregiving and Person Centered planning add to the quality of life for disabled persons.
CDC Resources has announced that Executive Director Michael Cruz will be retiring after 21 years of outstanding service. Onias Taruwinga has been named his successor, effective June 2, 2014. Taruwinga previously served as Executive Director of Mosiac in Terre Haute.
Insights Consulting was ranked in the top five places to work in Indiana, according to a survey of mid-size companies conducted by WorkplaceDynamics. This INARF member was also honored as the winner of the Most Meaningful Place to Work Category. Click here to view winners...
The Bloomington Herald-Times (HT) recently published an article describing the challenges of direct care professional turnover on individuals with disabilities and the agencies that serve them. The HT reported that Medicaid's low reimbursement for residential services has stagnated the wages of caretakers at a rate below self-sufficiency level, noting more than a third are eligible for food stamps. The article goes on to discuss the impact of wages on turnover, which in turn impacts individuals served.
INARF members have the opportunity to provide critical feedback to the Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS) as the draft the re-write of the Community Integration and Habilitation (CIH) Waiver. Specifically, the Division is asking stakeholders to review the currently approved CIH Waiver Amendment and offer public comment on needed changes or modifications. INARF is in the process of drafting comments on behalf of the Association and will share those once finalized. Comments should be submitted to DDRSpolicies@fssa.IN.gov by May 25, 2014.
The next Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS) Provider meeting has been scheduled for Monday, May 12, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (EST). Providers are welcome to attend in person at the Indiana Government Center South Auditorium, or via webinar. The agenda and instructions for accessing the webinar will be sent in advance of the meeting date.
Late last week, the Office of Medicaid Policy & Planning held a briefing on its plans to develop and launch a Coordinated Care Pilot Program for certain individuals within the Aged, Blind, and Disabled Medicaid eligibility category. The pilot's design was informed by the research conducted in response to House Enrolled Act 1328.
The pilot will include an estimated 75,000 individuals with disabilities, including individuals currently enrolled in Care Select. Excluded populations include: >Individuals who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid >Individuals receiving institutional care (e.g. nursing facilities, ICFs/IDD) >Individuals receiving HCBS waiver services
A Request for Information was released on April 16 seeking feedback from prospective vendors, as to ways to refine the proposed model. Responses to the RFI are due by May 1st and a subsequent Request for Proposals is anticipated by May 15th. OMPP anticipates selecting a vendor by this Fall and beginning the pilot on January 1st.
NBC News recently reported on one father's unique approach to creating employment opportunities for his son and others on the autism spectrum. With an eye to aligning his sons strengths with various business options, John D'Erico focused on creating not just an opportunity but a self-sustaining business model. Click here to read the full article...
May is Older American's Month and the Administration for Community Living named injury prevention as the theme! Take action by clicking here for tips and resources on how to prevent injuries.
The National Alliance for Medicaid in Education (NAME) named John Hill as its Executive Director, effective April 1, 2014. Hill was one of NAME's founding members and has been working for the benefit of persons with disabilities for 40 years. Prior to this appointment, he served as the Director of Policy, Planning and Program Development with the Division of Disability & Rehabilitative Services in Indiana's Family and Social Services Administration (DDRS). Hill was recently honored with INARF's 2014 Career Recognition Award. Click here to read the full article...
SURVEY: SOCIAL MEDIA As we move forward with our digital presence, we want to make sure we're moving with you. By completing this survey, you'll help us understand how we can more easily communicate with you through social media. <<Click here to take the survey>>
Thanks to Rauch for sending in this groups shot with Rubi! <<Click here to send your own>>
INARF'S RUBY ANNIVERSARY: CELEBRATING FORTY YEARS OF GROWTH & INFLUENCE