Health Assurance Program
Please note that ANYONE can make a referral for an individual to be considered for the high risk list.
from DDRS:
Across the United States, the number of people with disabilities being served in the community who have been identified to have significant health issues is growing. Through Health Assurance, an exciting new initiative, the Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS) will be able to better support the staff who care for at-risk individuals by providing them with the knowledge, skills and tools necessary to promote the best possible outcomes.
Soon to be included as a regular part of the Indiana Outreach Services training schedule, Health Assurance has developed a set of educational courses customized to specific disciplines. Much of the information in the program came from material provided by Victoria Lund PhD, an expert consultant with the DOJ. Dr. Lund's material is being integrated into the training curriculum and adapted for direct support professionals, nurses, case managers, and service coordinators.
Soon to be included as a regular part of the Indiana Outreach Services training schedule, Health Assurance has developed a set of educational courses customized to specific disciplines. Much of the information in the program came from material provided by Victoria Lund PhD, an expert consultant with the DOJ. Dr. Lund's material is being integrated into the training curriculum and adapted for direct support professionals, nurses, case managers, and service coordinators.
Health Assurance training objectives include:
* Identifying and addressing health issues
* Understanding the components of a health/risk plan
* Monitoring health/risk plans
* Promoting the best possible health care
In addition to the training component, consumers who are at-risk or have high health and safety related issues will receive a health review. Following each review, Outreach will partner with Interdisciplinary Teams (IDT) to provide consultation and training to assist in supporting those individuals.
Earlier this year, DDRS received notice of the official settlement of the Department of Justice (DOJ) action against the State of Indiana. The decision came much earlier than anticipated because of the collaborative efforts of those involved with the activities surrounding this oversight. In compliance with this settlement, Health Assurance will provide a comprehensive health and safety review for the 550 individuals who transitioned from Muscatatuck and Fort Wayne State Developmental Centers since August 2000.
In November 2008, the Outreach team will begin to contact the agencies serving the 550 individuals to schedule the initial reviews and coordinate follow-up. To improve efficiency, Outreach will request applicable documentation from each agency prior to the meeting to ensure that the review is as beneficial as possible for each consumer.
Following each review, the Outreach team will follow-up with a written report that will include observation results and recommendations to address any potential health issues. When possible, the screenings will occur in the quarter prior to a person's regularly scheduled annual Individual Support Plan (ISP) meeting, to provide IDT members with information to assist in overall planning. However, the priority will be to evaluate individuals known to have the most complex health issues first.
It is important to note that anyone may refer a person for consideration to be on the high risk list. To do so, contact the individual's local Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS) office and ask to speak to the district manager. If deemed appropriate, the high risk team will provide the individual with an Outreach referral for a free Health Assurance review, much like other Outreach referrals.
District BDDS Manager Email After Hours Pager Phone Number
* District 1 Marcia Royster Marcia.Royster@fssa.IN.gov 1-888-242-7589 (219) 887-0503
* District 2 Donna Horne Donna.Horne@fssa.IN.gov 1-888-238-0386 (574) 232-1412
* District 3 Karla Lovachy Karla.Lovachy@fssa.IN.gov 1-888-238-6092 (260) 423-2571
* District 4 Don Patterson Donald.Patterson@fssa.IN.gov 1-888-239-5877 (765) 653-2468
* District 5 Natasha Howard Natasha.Howard@fssa.IN.gov 1-888-239-9156 (317) 254-2065
* District 6 Dane Smith Dane.Smith@fssa.IN.gov 1-888-240-8351 (765) 288-6516
* District 7 Mark Robinson Mark.Robinson@fssa.IN.gov 1-888-239-9405 (812) 423-8449
* District 8 Holly Wimsatt Holly.Wimsatt@fssa.IN.gov 1-888-240-8350 Clarksville: (812) 283-1040 Seymour: (812) 522-5859
As a reminder, Indiana Outreach Services offers resources and training at no charge to providers and to individuals with disabilities and their families. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Health Assurance program, Indiana Outreach Services, BDDS, or other DDRS programs you may contact us through the following resources:
Outreach Toll Free Phone: 1-866-429-5290
E-Mail: Outreach@fssa.IN.gov
Outreach Website: http://www.in.gov/fssa/ddrs/7112.htm <http://www.in.gov/fssa/ddrs/7112.htm>
DDRS Website: www.ddrs.IN.gov <http://www.ddrs.in.gov/>
from DDRS:
Across the United States, the number of people with disabilities being served in the community who have been identified to have significant health issues is growing. Through Health Assurance, an exciting new initiative, the Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS) will be able to better support the staff who care for at-risk individuals by providing them with the knowledge, skills and tools necessary to promote the best possible outcomes.
Soon to be included as a regular part of the Indiana Outreach Services training schedule, Health Assurance has developed a set of educational courses customized to specific disciplines. Much of the information in the program came from material provided by Victoria Lund PhD, an expert consultant with the DOJ. Dr. Lund's material is being integrated into the training curriculum and adapted for direct support professionals, nurses, case managers, and service coordinators.
Soon to be included as a regular part of the Indiana Outreach Services training schedule, Health Assurance has developed a set of educational courses customized to specific disciplines. Much of the information in the program came from material provided by Victoria Lund PhD, an expert consultant with the DOJ. Dr. Lund's material is being integrated into the training curriculum and adapted for direct support professionals, nurses, case managers, and service coordinators.
Health Assurance training objectives include:
* Identifying and addressing health issues
* Understanding the components of a health/risk plan
* Monitoring health/risk plans
* Promoting the best possible health care
In addition to the training component, consumers who are at-risk or have high health and safety related issues will receive a health review. Following each review, Outreach will partner with Interdisciplinary Teams (IDT) to provide consultation and training to assist in supporting those individuals.
Earlier this year, DDRS received notice of the official settlement of the Department of Justice (DOJ) action against the State of Indiana. The decision came much earlier than anticipated because of the collaborative efforts of those involved with the activities surrounding this oversight. In compliance with this settlement, Health Assurance will provide a comprehensive health and safety review for the 550 individuals who transitioned from Muscatatuck and Fort Wayne State Developmental Centers since August 2000.
In November 2008, the Outreach team will begin to contact the agencies serving the 550 individuals to schedule the initial reviews and coordinate follow-up. To improve efficiency, Outreach will request applicable documentation from each agency prior to the meeting to ensure that the review is as beneficial as possible for each consumer.
Following each review, the Outreach team will follow-up with a written report that will include observation results and recommendations to address any potential health issues. When possible, the screenings will occur in the quarter prior to a person's regularly scheduled annual Individual Support Plan (ISP) meeting, to provide IDT members with information to assist in overall planning. However, the priority will be to evaluate individuals known to have the most complex health issues first.
It is important to note that anyone may refer a person for consideration to be on the high risk list. To do so, contact the individual's local Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS) office and ask to speak to the district manager. If deemed appropriate, the high risk team will provide the individual with an Outreach referral for a free Health Assurance review, much like other Outreach referrals.
District BDDS Manager Email After Hours Pager Phone Number
* District 1 Marcia Royster Marcia.Royster@fssa.IN.gov 1-888-242-7589 (219) 887-0503
* District 2 Donna Horne Donna.Horne@fssa.IN.gov 1-888-238-0386 (574) 232-1412
* District 3 Karla Lovachy Karla.Lovachy@fssa.IN.gov 1-888-238-6092 (260) 423-2571
* District 4 Don Patterson Donald.Patterson@fssa.IN.gov 1-888-239-5877 (765) 653-2468
* District 5 Natasha Howard Natasha.Howard@fssa.IN.gov 1-888-239-9156 (317) 254-2065
* District 6 Dane Smith Dane.Smith@fssa.IN.gov 1-888-240-8351 (765) 288-6516
* District 7 Mark Robinson Mark.Robinson@fssa.IN.gov 1-888-239-9405 (812) 423-8449
* District 8 Holly Wimsatt Holly.Wimsatt@fssa.IN.gov 1-888-240-8350 Clarksville: (812) 283-1040 Seymour: (812) 522-5859
As a reminder, Indiana Outreach Services offers resources and training at no charge to providers and to individuals with disabilities and their families. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Health Assurance program, Indiana Outreach Services, BDDS, or other DDRS programs you may contact us through the following resources:
Outreach Toll Free Phone: 1-866-429-5290
E-Mail: Outreach@fssa.IN.gov
Outreach Website: http://www.in.gov/fssa/ddrs/7112.htm <http://www.in.gov/fssa/ddrs/7112.htm>
DDRS Website: www.ddrs.IN.gov <http://www.ddrs.in.gov/>
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