OASIS update and disaster relief information

Family Voices is sharing the following bulletin from DDRS so that its members can be apprised of changes to the OASIS implementation timeline. This bulletin also contains updated information regarding disaster assistance.
from DDRS:

In keeping with our mission, the Division of Disability & Rehabilitative Services (DDRS)/Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS) has been working closely with consumers, families, advocates, and providers to redesign our system to focus on fair and equitable access to services for people with disabilities in Indiana. The new system, Objective Assessment System for Individual Supports (OASIS), includes a planning process for personal supports, standardized reimbursement rates, and quality assurance systems based on consumer choice and self/family advocacy.

We are excited that we will soon move forward with OASIS; however, due to a variety of issues such as recent flooding and weather-related disasters, our priorities have changed. Our first priority is to always to ensure the health, safety and well being of our consumers, families and providers. For the past year, OASIS has been in pilot phase in BDDS District 4. Of the sixteen (16) counties in this district, eight (8) have been declared disaster areas by the federal government and four (4) others are currently being assessed for damages. Consequently, we have made the decision to adjust the roll-out of OASIS and subsequent timelines.


***DISASTER ASSISTANCE***

Consumers and families that have been displaced or suffered losses in the recent floods and weather-related disasters should contact their case manager as soon as possible. The Family & Social Services Administration and DDRS have supports in place to assist and guide you through the process if you need to apply for disaster relief or acquire other assistance. You will also find a variety of state and federal resources available online at http://www.in.gov./gov/3725.htm

***OASIS UPDATE***

Following is the latest information available on OASIS, including important dates.

BDDS District 4 Only, beginning July 1, 2008 (Benton, Carroll, Clay, Clinton, Fountain, Monroe, Montgomery, Owen, Parke, Putnam, Sullivan, Tippecanoe, Vermillion, Vigo, Warren, White counties)

    • Allocations have not yet been finalized for current waiver consumers; therefore, we are extending the OASIS pilot.
    • All consumers in BDDS District 4 will remain in pilot under OASIS. Consumers on the Developmental Disabilities (DD) waiver and the Autism waiver with July and August annuals will meet with case managers to complete the LOC, PCP & ISP. Their current budgets will be extended sixty (60) days.
    • Current consumers on the Support Services (SS) waiver with July and August annuals will see no change in our process, using the BDDS District 4 OASIS pilot rates. The annual cap for the SS waiver remains $13,500.
    • Any plan increases will need to follow the current process. As of July 1, 2008 there will not be an automatic increase of 3.5% to plans.

    Statewide, beginning August 1, 2008

    • The new OASIS service planner will replace the old service planner in InSite, which will no longer be available after July 31, 2008. Providers, case managers and other team members will work with the consumer to ensure the final service planner reflects a typical week.
    • Any current consumer's requesting a plan increase outside of the annual will need to follow the current process. There will no longer be an automatic increase of 3.5% to any annual plan.
    • New waiver consumers will enter the system through OASIS and receive an annual allocation based on their individual needs.

We will release more information about OASIS as it becomes available. If you have any questions, concerns or feedback regarding the OASIS initiative you may continue to contact us through the following resources:

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