DD commission report: Arc waiting list task force recommendations

Family Voices encourages its members to stay up-to-date on issues that affect children with special health care needs and/or disabilities. As part of the budget bill, FSSA presented a series of possible changes to the DD waiver system:

Sec. 4. (a) Before July 1, 2012, the division shall report orally and in writing to the commission for review of a plan to reduce the aggregate and per capita cost of the waiver by implementing changes to the waiver that may include the following:

(1) Calculating budget neutrality on an individual rather than an aggregate basis

(2) Instituting a family care program to provide recipients with another option for receiving services

(3) Evaluating the current system to determine whether a group home or a waiver home is the most appropriate use of resources for placement of the individual

(4) Evaluating alternative placements for high cost individuals to ensure individuals are served in the most integrated setting appropriate to the individual's needs and within the resources available to the state

(5) Migrating individuals from the waiver to a redesigned waiver that provides options to individuals for receiving services and supports appropriate to meet the individual's needs and that are cost effective and high quality and focus on social and health outcomes

(6) Requiring cost participation by a recipient whose family income exceeds five hundred percent (500%) of the federal income poverty level, factoring in medical expenses and personal care needs expenses of the recipient

(b) After the division makes the report required under subsection (a), the division may consult with the office and take any action necessary to carry out the requirements of this section, including applying to the federal Department of Health and Human Services for approval to amend the waiver.

There is currently a group meeting weekly with DDRS to look at the proposals in HEA 1001. That group includes The Arc of Indiana, INARF, IPMG, INABC.

The Arc presented its waiting list task force recommendations at yesterday's DD commission: http://www.arcind.org/upload/assets/pdfs/public%20policy/the_arc_of_indiana_waiting_list_task_force_report_%209.2011.pdf

We encourage our members to become educated about the issues and to contact The Arc and their legislators to share the family voice regarding proposed changes that may affect our children.