Family Supports Waiver Renewal Comment Period

To: Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services providers and consumers
From: Nicole Norvell, Director, Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services
Re: Family Supports Waiver Renewal
Date: November 7, 2014

The Family of Social Services Administration’s Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS) and the Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning (OMPP) are drafting the renewal application for the Family Supports (FSW) Waiver and are requesting comments on the draft renewal.

The renewal application must be submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) no later than December 31, 2014. DDRS has posted a draft of the FSW renewal, Draft ID # IN.007.03.00, for review and comment, on the Draft Polices for Public Comment webpage.

Proposed changes within the FSW Draft IN.007.03.00, are detailed in the major changes section at the beginning of the draft, highlights include:

Extended Services is being proposed as a service that will provide ongoing employment supports which will enable an individual to maintain integrated competitive employment in a community setting. Extended Service will replace the existing service definition for Supported Employment Follow Along (SEFA). Because Extended Services includes many work and community based training and support options, DDRS has removed the option to also receive Pre-Vocational services at the same time as Extended Services.  DDRS believes that the allowable activities within this new definition will provide for individuals to receive training on the skills they will need to maintain their job and thrive in the community.  The definition for Extended Services has been broadened, from the past definition of SEFA, to ensure that vocational skills training can be provided away from the job site and at times in small groups. Additionally, with changes that are occurring within the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program, the options for skill development to obtain employment are readily available for teams to utilize through the VR program.  DDRS acknowledges that there are many individuals who will utilize this service who are currently receiving Pre-Vocational services and these individuals will remain in both services for a six to nine month transition period so that DDRS, case managers, participants and families can work together to adjust plans of care.

DDRS posted Home and Community-Based Services Waiver (HCBS) Transition Plan for public comment within the FSW waiver renewal.

Participant-Centered Planning and Service Delivery – reflects current practice and expectations as well as clarification of roles

Risk Assessment and Mitigation - clarified that the Individualized Support Team determines the party or parties responsible for development of risk plan(s)

Added clarifications recently requested by CMS during the Community Integration and Habilitation Waiver Renewal process

The removal of references to “mental retardation” replaced with “Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (IID)”

Details on FSSA as the single state Medicaid Agency and the current roles and revised organizational structure of the State Medicaid Agency.

Comments and suggestions will be received for a period of 30 days, ending on December 7, 2014, and may be emailed to DDRSpolicies@fssa.IN.gov or submitted in writing to: 

 DDRS Policies – MS 18
c/o The Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services
PO Box 7083
402 W. Washington St., Rm. W451
Indianapolis, IN 46207-7083

  

 The DDRS is a program of the Indiana Family & Social Services Administration. If you have questions about DDRS programs and services, visit us online at DDRS.IN.gov.