Hello all,

Here is great resource for your own professional development or to link 
families to information that I've been learning more about! Let me know 
how well it works out or if you have experience with their service 
previously! -Jenifer


IYI's Virginia Beall Ball Library is a free resource providing books, 
DVDs and other informational resources on youth development, working 
with families, fundraising and nonprofit management.

In addition to searching their entire collection online, many of the 
materials are organized into bibliographies located at:  
http://www.iyi.org/library/bibliographies.aspx

Some recent additions to the library include:

"The Complete Guide to Understanding, Controlling and Stopping Bullies & 
Bullying," by Margaret R. Kohut;

"Megaskills:  Building Your Child's Happiness and Success in School and 
Life," by Dorothy Rich;

"Sparks:  How Parents Can Ignite the Hidden Strengths of Teenagers," by 
Peter Benson;

"On Their Own: What Happens to Kids When They Age Out of the Foster Care 
System?," by Martha Shirk and Gary Stangler; forward by Jimmy Carter.

All materials are shipped free of charge to any community in Indiana 
WITH a postage-paid return envelope to help you return the books and 
DVDs on time.

IYI's Virginia Beall Ball Library:  http://www.iyi.org/library

Connections, Inc. Cordially Invites
You & Your Guests to Join Us in
Our Italian Street Festival Celebration & Dessert Reception

Friday June 12, 2009 6pm-10pm
 711 S. East Street Indianapolis, IN. 46225

Our “Neighbors”…The Holy Rosary Church Host the Annual Free Festival which features:
Authentic Italian food and drink Live music and dancing Amusement Rides for Children

Complimentary drinks, dessert, and disability parking at Connections

Hello all,

The following is a link to a document published by the Indiana DOE 
Division of Exceptional Learners about available summer camps for 2009: 
http://www.doe.in.gov/exceptional/speced/docs/Summer_Camp_List_2009.pdf

Hope it helps your family or the youth you may serve. Best wishes, Jenifer

Hello everyone,

I received the following email today from Peter Bisbecos, DDRS Director, regarding a new web based notification system regarding announcements from their Division. I thought you may be interested in registering given your role in supporting family members or friends with disabilities.

My best wishes for a safe and happy holiday weekend, Jenifer
 
Date:       May 21, 2009

To:            Consumers, families and stakeholders who support
individuals with disabilities in Indiana

From:        Peter Bisbecos, DDRS Director

RE:            DDRS Announces New Web-Based Bulletin Registration
Process

 
The Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS) is excited to announce a new web-based process for individuals to register to receive bulletins and other communications.

You received this message because your E-mail address in DDRS' current database. The information in this database is incomplete and will not transfer to the new process. If you wish to continue receiving
information from DDRS, you must register online at
http://www.in.gov/fssa/ddrs/3894.htm .

Registration is open to all who support individuals with disabilities in
Indiana. The web-based registration process is easy and secure. The
state will never share or sell your personal information with anyone. We encourage you to share the DDRS Registration link with consumers, families, advocates, providers, direct support professionals, educators, physicians, therapists, and other industry professionals.

This new format gives us the ability to send E-mail messages in a timely manner directly to those who have registered to receive it. Registrants will now have the choice to receive all DDRS releases, or choose to only receive information from a specific bureau within our division. The DDRS Quarterly Policy Bulletin will always be sent to everyone in our database.

Effective June 5, 2009, we will no longer send information using the old list. To ensure you do not miss any communications from DDRS, it is important that you register prior to this date. During the brief
transition period, we ask for your patience because you will likely
receive duplicate bulletins.

Please E-mail DDRSbulletins@fssa.IN.gov if you have any questions or comments about this new process. Thank you.

To:          Consumers, providers, case managers and stakeholders who support individuals with disabilities in Indiana

From:    Peter A. Bisbecos, DDRS Director

                Adrienne Shields, DDRS Deputy Director

                Kellie Calita, BDDS Director of Client Services

Re:         OASIS Allocations, Transition Policy, OASIS Review Committee, Budget Modification Requests, and Appeals

Date:     February 24, 2009

 

After two years of much work and collaboration with stakeholders, the Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS) is excited to announce that Thursday, February 19, 2009 we began to release allocations for consumers on the Developmental Disabilities (DD) and Autism (AU) Medicaid waivers with annual renewal dates in April and May. Release of allocations for new consumers identified to start on the DD or AU waivers began Friday, February 20, 2009.

 This bulletin is a continuation of our effort to communicate openly about the system changes that impact consumers, providers, and stakeholders who support individuals with disabilities. In the midst of starting the Objective Assessment System for Individual Supports (OASIS), we must also take a moment to consider the current economic situation.

 As the economic downturn in our country continues, Indiana is trying to make predictions and tough decisions to avoid the financial crises other states are experiencing.  While DDRS is committed to providing continuity of care for our existing consumers and continuing efforts to bring people off our waiting lists for waiver services, it is difficult to overstate the seriousness of the challenges we face.  Just as Indiana families and businesses are adjusting resources to deal with economic realities, so is the state.

DDRS is fortunate to be operating successfully within its budget; however, we won’t realize the full extent of our financial commitments until later in the spring.  As a result, we have had to make some important decisions regarding the transition of consumers from the annual plan service delivery system to the OASIS service delivery system.  While many consumers will experience an increase in dollars to meet their needs, others may receive less than their current budgeted amount.  To effectively manage the budgetary impact these changes will bring, DDRS has a transition plan in place for each consumer and new system supports such as the OASIS Review Committee (ORC) and Budget Modification Requests (BMR).

 The following information provides details about the roll-out of OASIS and allocations for current and new waiver recipients as well as steps we can all take to best support the individuals we serve while ensuring fiscal responsibility.

 OASIS Allocation Release

DDRS released the allocations for individuals with April and May 2009 renewals and new consumers identified to begin services beginning Thursday, February 19, 2009 and Friday February 20, 2009. Case managers will have up to ten (10) business days to share this information with consumers and guardians.

Providers listed on the current Notice of Action (NOA) will receive the allocation amounts following the ten (10) day period. This information will come via e-mail, similar to the NOA process.

Moving forward, DDRS plans to release the allocation information 100 days prior to each consumer’s annual renewal date. This begins with consumers having annual plan renewal dates June 2009 and forward.

Note to current consumers with April and May 2009 renewals:  If you have not received your allocation information from your IPMG case manager by Friday, March 6, 2009 please contact the IPMG Help Line listed at the end of this bulletin.

Transition to OASIS Allocations

The allocation amount for each consumer will be released in an individualized letter to each consumer.   The letter includes a detailed description of the transition process from the annual plan service delivery system to the OASIS service delivery system.

Current consumers are assigned one of six (6) potential transition plans based on the change in the dollar amount from their most recent annualized POC/CCB compared to their new OASIS allocation.  Consumers will have a minimum of three (3) months to a maximum of fifteen (15) months to prepare and plan for services within their OASIS allocation.

New consumers identified to start services on the DD or autism waiver will immediately use their OASIS allocation.

The chart below shows the six (6) possible transition periods from Annual Plan (AP) to the OASIS service delivery system for consumers currently on the DD and AU waivers. New consumers on the DD and AU waivers will immediately begin services in OASIS.

Current Consumers on the DD and AU Waiver
Budget Change from Annual Plan (AP) to OASIS	Transition Period
	Year 1		Year 2		Year 3 +
Increase $.01 to $20,000	6 months at 50% current AP	6 months at 50% OASIS	12 months at 100% OASIS		12 months At 100% OASIS
Increase $20,00  to $60,000	9 months at 75% current AP	3 months at 25% OASIS	12 months at100% OASIS
Increase $60,001 and greater	12 months at 100% current AP		3 months at 25% current AP	9 months at 75% OASIS
No change to a decrease -$.01 to -$20,000	3 months at 25% current AP	9 months at 75% OASIS	12 months at 100% OASIS
Decrease -$20,001 to -$60,000	6 months at 50% current AP	6 months at 50% OASIS	12 months at 100% OASIS
Decrease -$60,001 and greater	12 months at 100% current AP		12 months at 100% OASIS

If you would like to see an example of each of the transition letters, you can go online to the following link: http://www.in.gov/fssa/ddrs/2903.htm.

Using the Invoicing Tool

Beginning January 2009, providers will be required to use the current Invoicing Tool to bill for Residential Habilitation Services (RHS) for consumers when one or more consumer is served in a shared setting and is utilizing the Uniform Rate Methodology. Example: Two individuals share a setting, one is on Annual Plan and one is on Uniform Rates. Both will use the RHS Invoicing Tool. The consumer on Annual Plan will bill at the Annual Plan rates and the consumer on Uniform Rates will bill at the new rates.

The online instructions for Creating a Site indicate that a provider must enter the service planner hours for a consumer as they appear on the ISP service planner.  However, this will only work for consumers who have transitioned onto OASIS.  Consumers still on Annual Plan may not have a service planner which indicates their current services.  Providers do have flexibility to enter Non-OASIS housemates without the benefit of a service planner.  As each housemate comes onto an OASIS service plan, the provider will want to update their site(s) on the Invoicing Tool to reflect the accurate service planner hours.

Additionally, providers do have the ability to change the underlying site information each time they bill.  This is allowed; however, if a provider continually changes the underlying site information regarding the service planner, they may exhaust a consumers POC/CCB/NOA prior authorization before the period is over.

The invoicing tool is available online at: https://ddrsprovider.fssa.in.gov/BDDS/.

OASIS Review Committee

A consumer or support team may feel that the allocation amount is not enough to support the health and welfare needs of the individual. The support team should contact the IPMG case manager to request a review by the OASIS Review Committee (ORC).  The IPMG case manager will complete the OASIS review request within the INSITE system.

The ORC is assigned to review an allocation, inputs used to build the allocation, and any collateral information provided by the consumer’s support team.  This committee will report its findings and recommend actions to be taken, if any, to adjust the allocation amount. The committee and the process have been created consumers and support teams have the opportunity to review their situation prior to filing a formal appeal.

Events to request an OASIS review

• Life Changing Events:
• Death, institutionalization or long-term incapacitation of a primary caregiver
• Primary Caregiver is age 80 or older
• Transition from Crisis Management Services and unable to return to original setting
• A young adult who is currently on the waiver and is terminating their secondary education

·         Needs have changed and individual is unable to purchase services to meet current needs

• ICAP assessments did not accurately reflect the individual’s current situation/ability

Members of ORC include:

·         BDDS Director of Client Services

·         BDDS Field Services Director(s)

·         DDRS Case Management Liaison

·         BDDS Waiver Unit Supervisor

·         OMPP Representative

·         BQIS Representative

·         BDDS Ombudsman

The process for accessing ORC is explained in individualized consumer allocation and transition letters. If you have additional questions about ORC, you should contact Kellie Calita, Director of Client Services with the Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS) by E-mail at kellie.calita@fssa.IN.gov.

Please note: If you attended a previous OASIS presentation or have reviewed materials on the OASIS web pages, you may have noticed that we used the word ‘mediation’ rather than ‘OASIS Review Committee’ or ‘ORC’. Because the word mediation implies a legal process, the name change was made to reinforce that this review is an informal, but important step in our internal processes to help DDRS/BDDS best support the individuals we serve.

Appeals

Each consumer has the right to appeal an approved or denied plan of care.  These rights and the process for filing an appeal are fully disclosed on the Notice of Action (NOA).  The appeal process has not changed.

Budget Modifications Requests for Qualifying and Life Changing Events

During the course of the waiver plan year, a consumer may experience circumstances where the support team may need to seek a Budget Modification Request (BMR). The support team should contact the IPMG case manager to request a BMR. The IPMG case manager will complete the BMR within the INSITE system. A BMR is available for the unanticipated, short-term situations listed below.

Events to request a Budget Modification Request

• Life Changing Events:

o   Death, institutionalization or long-term incapacitation of a primary caregiver

o   Primary Caregiver is age 80 or older

o   Transition from Crisis Management Services and unable to return to original setting

o   A young adult who is currently on the waiver and is terminating their secondary education

• Loss of housemate
• State intervention for behavioral needs
• State intervention for health or medical needs
• State intervention for substantiated abuse, neglect, or exploitation

Please note: Additional funds from an approved BMR are meant as a supplement to meet the immediate needs of the consumer.  Each initial event may be approved for up to ninety (90) days. If short term support is still required, additional BMR’s may be submitted each month, not to exceed 180 days from the initial event.

Sharing Staff and Resources

Due to the recent events affecting the economy of the State of Indiana, it is very important for consumers and providers to seek and discover ways to share resources.  The State of Indiana is requesting that consumers, families, providers, advocates and other stakeholders seek innovative ways to manage their resources by seeking alternatives that are respectful, reasonable, and responsible such as:

·         Shared staffing

·         Shared living arrangements

·         Electronic Monitoring Systems/Technology Services

·         Assistive/Adaptive Technology

Questions or Concerns

We will continue to communicate information about the OASIS service delivery system. In addition, we plan to include frequently asked questions in a future bulletin. The following resources are available to assist you:

Questions or concerns regarding the OASIS initiative:

OASIS-ICAP Help Lines: (317) 234-5222 or 1-888-527-0008

Email: OASIS-ICAPHelp@fssa.in.gov

Website: www.ddrs.IN.gov

Mailing address:              MS-26: DDRS/OASIS ICAP-Help

402 W. Washington St., W451

Indianapolis, IN 46204

Questions or concerns regarding your allocation, contact
your case manager or the IPMG Help Line:

IPMG Toll Free Phone: 1-866-672-4764, extension 261

Website:  www.gotoipmg.com

Though the economic climate has changed in recent months, the values we share have not. We will continue to be transparent, responsive and accountable. Working together, we can accomplish a lot to bring about the changes our system needs and improve the quality of life for Hoosiers with disabilities.

Thank you.

 

As many of you know, I met our Operations Manager, Casey Botkin, at Indiana University several years ago where he was presenting a workshop on how to conduct "Sibshops" in local communities. Sibshops are fun get togethers for sibilings of children with disabilities or mental illness which allow them opportunities to meet other kids with similar life experiences. Inspired by his strong and loving relationship with his own brother, Casey strongly recommends siblings to have this supportive experience and is available to organize a Sibshop for your group, school, or community. He can be contacted at 317.514.8833 by cell or email at cbotkin@connections-inc.net.  The following video tells more of the sibling relationship and the sibshop course at featured on ABC's 20/20. Enjoy- Jenifer Asher:

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Republished from an "Issue Update" Courtesy of The Indiana Youth Institute  www.iyi.org

Consider This:

• In Columbus, 90% of the students in a tutoring and mentoring program, Book Buddies, were at or above grade level in literacy skills at the end of the school year, after starting the year with reading skills below grade level.

• In Indianapolis, 80% of the first class of graduates from the Starfish Initiative mentoring program enrolled incollege.

• In South Bend, 90% of participating students who were mentored through the Urban Youth Services program graduated from high school.

Mentoring Works!

As the results above show, mentoring can positively influence youth. Research indicates that mentoring relationships are most successful when they are close, consistent, and enduring.

The social benefits are impressive. Mentored youth attend school more regularly, have better attitudes and behaviors at school, and are more likely to pursue post-secondary education.

In addition, youth-serving organizations that support mentoring initiatives estimate a return on investment of more than $2 for every $1 spent on program resources.

The Need is Great

While studies and testimonials show that mentoring works and the number of American adults engaged in formal one-to-one mentoring relationships is increasing, programs need more volunteers. Of the almost 17.6 million young Americans who need or want mentoring, only 2.5 million participate in formal one-to-one mentoring programs. In an informal survey of Indiana mentoring agencies, 96.4% said that their programs could accommodate more volunteers; nearly 90% also expressed a great need for funding to increase their capacity to serve.

A national study indicates that youth involved in formal, high-quality relationships with adult mentors skip half as many days of school as their peers. They are also:

• 46% less likely to initiate drug use

• 27% less likely to initiate alcohol use

• 32% less likely to hit someone

Best Practices

The best mentoring programs are well structured with clear expectations for both mentors and mentees, focus on goals, and provide ongoing support for volunteers.8 Three important factors for successful mentoring relationships are spending time together in shared activities, trust, and role modeling. Because the length of a mentoring relationship has an impact on outcomes, it is important for all involved parties (organizations, mentors, mentees, and parents) to strive to keep matches together.

Here’s what we know about quality adult-youth relationships:

• Mentoring programs are more likely to succeed if they are driven by the needs and interests of youth, rather than the expectations of adult volunteers.  Mentors should involve the youth in selecting activities and these activities should be youth-focused.

• Leisurely activities, shared over many months, establish the trust that is the foundation of the mentoring relationship.

• Regular attendance is essential; absent mentors or short relationships may do more harm than good.14

AND WHY THEY DON’T:

Adults who choose not to mentor cite a variety of reasons, including:

• they don’t have time

• they don’t know how to start

• they’ve never been asked

• they don’t know what they have to offer

• they aren’t sure what mentors do

 

The 2009 Indiana Autism Expo is going to be a fantastic day! With the tremendous success of our first event in 2008, we're very excited to bring it to you again. Look for more exhibits, a larger expo hall, fun stuff for kids and new great speakers!
Our goal is to have a little something for everyone whose lives are touched by Autism.

Register for the event today! It's FREE! This is a new option for 2009 which will give you access to express check in and a chance to win cool doorprizes. The Indiana Autism Expo will take place at The Fountains Banquet Center, 502 East Carmel Drive, Carmel, Indiana. Hours will be 10AM until 2PM for the general public. The date is 3/21/09.

Please mark your calendars and join us for a great day. Please visit www.indianaautismexpo.com for complete details. See you at the expo!

On Tuesday, January 20 The Arc of Indiana was able to review data gathered from a test group of Medicaid waiver recipients regarding how OASIS will impact budget allocations. DDRS staff reviewed how a progression of factors will determine the allocation for each person.  The good news is that the process appears to be rational and straightforward.  The test group, pulled randomly from several regions, included children and adults, different levels of need, people living alone, people living with one roommate, and people living with two roommates. 

 

The test group clearly demonstrated the reason why this process was started.  Some people with minimal assessed needs showed budgets that seem very high, and some people with very high assessed needs have budgets that seem very low.   

 

Based on this test group, it appears OASIS will provide a more rational approach to allocating resources.  Does that mean that everyone will and should accept the change?  Absolutely not.  It will be very difficult to tell a person with minimal needs who has lived alone with one-to-one staffing that they will need to find roommates.  It will also be a challenge to help people spend budget allocations increases wisely.

 

Is the assessment accurate?  Many people have asked that question and it will only be possible to address that person by person with those who know them best.  Each person will get an allocation letter indicating the amount OASIS has allocated them and what need level that represents.  They will be able to see what the assessment included along with the addendum data on behavioral and medical information collected.  If they feel that there was any error, or information was left out or inaccurate, that can be submitted for review. 

 

FSSA has developed a transition policy that will give more time to people to make the transition from their current to new budgets. This policy is based on the dollar amount changed - whether it is an increase or a decrease. 

 

During this transition period it will be very important for everyone on a waiver recipient’s team to work closely together.  Families and consumers will need to work closely with case managers to determine the services they need and want, and multiple providers will need work together to meet those needs and wants as efficiently as possible.   

 

The first round of allocations is scheduled to go out before the end of January to people whose plans are scheduled for renewal in April.  They will receive a detailed packet that includes all of the steps to be followed to implement the new plans.  Providers should take steps now to identify the people they serve who will be part of this first round of allocations, and help inform them of how the process will work and what they can do to help them through this process. 

 

One of the keys to this process is the decision to allow the budget cap on the Support Services Waiver to move up to $13,500 for any SSW recipient who requests it. It is important to remember that SSW recipients are not part of the OASIS allocation process.    Of the nearly 500 SSW renewals that have come in since January 1, 2009 over 70% included an increased budget and all were approved. Approximately 30% came in with a decreased budget that was initiated by the team, not by FSSA.  At this time, no SSW budget reductions have been made at the state level.   

 

Initial results of planned changes show that overall spending for the SSW will be substantial, but needed, to move people to the $13,500 cap.  FSSA continues to plan to move the SSW cap to $16,000.  Overall spending for the DD and Autism waiver is expected to remain neutral.  However OASIS allocation projections are showing a net increase.

 

How can changes from OASIS move forward when facing the prospect of a 5% cut across the board in Medicaid?  FSSA leaders continue to provide reassurance that the proposed rule to allow an up to 5% across the board cut in Medicaid is only a fall back measure to provide the authority to make changes, if needed.. John Parks, FSSA Chief Financial Officer, has indicated that if there is a hold back it will be “across the board.” However, we have asked FSSA to withdraw the proposed rule and, if there must be a rule, to submit a new rule that is more clearly written as to intent.

 

Absolutely essential to avoiding any Medicaid reduction is passage, as soon as possible, of President Obama’s Economic Recovery Package.  If you have not contacted your member of Congress and Senators Lugar and Bayh please do so today.  You can find  more information, and learn how to contact your US Representative and Senators by going to:  http://www.arcind.org/Action%20Needed%20on%20Stimulus%20Package.htm

 

There are great pressures on providers, families and consumers as the state moves forward with implementing OASIS.  This pressure is multiplied with the current economic situation.  The news about job losses hits all of our families as well.

 

Families have expressed to me many times in recent weeks that they feel everyone is focused more on money than their son or daughter.  They feel lost in a process between providers, case managers and the state.  This may lead some to reach out to someone new or just give up.  I hope - as we have already discussed with members of the Indiana Conference of Executive Directors of Arcs (ICEArc) - that everyone looks to how they can best communicate and share information with staff, families and consumers during these turbulent times. 

Many challenges with OASIS remain.  The Arc will continue to work and find ways to make this system work best for everyone.  I urge everyone to keep all perspectives in mind, and, most importantly, to keep the focus on the individual.  While families, providers, and advocates are moving through a time of great uncertainty on many levels, we will be stronger by continuing to work together