Indiana Family to Family

Thank you to everyone that joined us at our Heart to Heart Conference!  We're so grateful for our sponsors, exhibitors, but most importantly all of our attendees that make this day of learning possible!  We hope you'll join us again in 2023!

" INDIANAPOLIS – A statewide commission of 24 elected officials, stakeholders and behavioral health providers has concluded its two-year examination of Indiana’s behavioral health delivery system and issued its final report to the Indiana General Assembly. The report from the Indiana Behavioral Health Commission makes recommendations regarding infrastructure in the mental health space, workforce needs, overall mental health and well-being for Hoosiers, as well as funding recommendations. “This report builds on the important, ongoing work already underway by stakeholders in partnership with the state of Indiana,” said Jay Chaudhary, chairman of the commission and the director of the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction. “I thank the commission members for their dedication to this work. We know that these collaborations must continue in order to improve access to mental health care for Hoosiers, and how that care is delivered.” The commission was formed in 2020 under the

The Biden Administration has  proposed changes  that would strengthen Sec. 1557 protections and is accepting public  comments  through October 3, 2022. The National Health Law Program has written several materials to help understand how the proposed rule changes will affect certain groups who face discrimination in the health care setting.  Who Should Comment? -People who have experienced discrimination in health care -LGBTQ+ folks, trans people, queer folk, and intersex people -Black, Indigenous, and People of Color -People with disabilities -Older adults and caregivers -Pregnant people, people who have had a miscarriages or abortions -Non-English speaking people  -People at the intersection of multiple identities

The Division of Disability and Rehabilitation Services Bureau of Rehabilitation Services is pleased to share that its application for the Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment Innovative Model Demonstration Project has been selected for funding by the Rehabilitation Services Administration. The SWTCIE grant award of $13,935,839 is 100% federal dollars with no non-federal match requirement and provides a five-year project period. BRS’ SWTCIE Model Demonstration Project, called Supported Employment +, layers interventions on a state, local and individual level, to address known barriers and needs of individuals with disabilities. The project aims to build local and state capacity to increase and expand competitive, integrated employment by implementing and evaluating a comprehensive employment service package with four organizations and seven subminimum wage employment sites representative of Indiana’s demographics. The four pilot partner organizations include Anthony Wayn

From AWS Foundation , written by Mandy Drakeford   When parents find out they are expecting, so much time and energy go into preparation for the birth of the baby – the nursery, baby showers, name research, and so much more. When I found out I was expecting my first son in 2014, while I contemplated the nursery color and read through the book of 10,000 names, I also spent quite a bit of time thinking about how I would raise my children with inclusive values. I desired to raise kind, respectful, understanding, and empathetic children. I wanted my son to recognize each person for who they are, and the value they bring individually instead of developing assumptions and stereotypes impressed upon by society.   Our quest to live inclusive lives hasn’t been perfect, but here are some of the ways I’ve worked as a mom to foster a spirit of inclusivity in my own children. Read More

" The Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services is pleased to announce it has engaged Milliman to review BDDS’ home-and community-based services rates and to develop a rate methodology and supporting rates. The project is expected to culminate in the submission of waiver amendments. BDDS and Milliman’s rate methodology process includes the following: Project and stakeholder engagement planning Rate methodology development to achieve BDDS goals and objectives Rate setting and calculations based on final selected rate methodologies Waiver/state plan amendments and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approval process Balanced input from the full range of stakeholders is critical to this process. BDDS wants to hear from a variety of stakeholders, including providers and associations, participants, families, caregivers and advocacy groups, and other key stakeholders. Stakeholder engagement may include: In-person and virtual