Attention Providers of Section 21 Agency Home Support: Information About Staffing ThresholdsAppendix K to Maine’s Home and Community-Based Services 1915(c) waivers provided flexibilities in waiver program operations during an emergency. Most recently, under those emergency provisions, Section 21 group homes have been allowed to operate at 85% of authorized staffing levels. As of July 1, 2024, minimum staffing levels revert to the pre-pandemic standard of 92.5% of authorized levels.
The Department has reviewed group home staffing data and labor market conditions, including Maine’s continuing low unemployment rate, and has concluded that many providers may not meet the 92.5% standard by July 1, potentially putting services at risk for some Section 21 participants. Therefore, the Department will exercise its enforcement discretion on staffing levels for the next six months as it continues to monitor labor market conditions. Through December 31, 2024, the Department will not enforce the 92.5% standard, as long as the provider maintains at least 85% of authorized staffing and can ensure the health and safety of residents. Questions on this notice may be sent to [email protected]. The 25th Anniversary Of Olmstead
Saturday, June 22, 2024 will mark the 25th Anniversary of the Supreme Court's Decision in Olmstead v. L.C. The Department of Health and Human Services, The Administration for Community Living, and the Department of Justice are preparing an event to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Olmstead on June 20th, from 2 - 4 pm Eastern Time The event will stream online We urge our members to register for the event, in order to watch the proceedings and to see how they view the future of what they consider "Olmstead Enforcement" and how their interpretation of Olmstead affects our families. To register for the event, PLEASE CLICK HERE We often disagree with these agencies over their implementation of the Supreme Court's decision in Olmstead. Over the years, Olmstead has been misinterpreted, framed as an integration mandate, instead of being acknowledged as a mandate for Choice. VOR is proud to have submitted an Amicus Brief that was cited by the Court in that decision, declaring that for some individuals, an ICF remains the most integrated setting suitable to their needs. For more information on Olmstead, and to download a copy of the Olmstead Decision for yourself, Please Click Here The Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS), in partnership with a survey management provider, Knowledge Services, plans to offer home and community-based service (HCBS) waiver members a second opportunity to participate in a survey about their experiences with our waiver services and supports. OADS will host online Zoom sessions with Knowledge Services to share information about the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) survey. These Zoom sessions will provide an overview of the HCBS CAHPS® survey, share information about the previous participation opportunity in Fall 2023 and review options for waiver member participation in Summer 2024.
We are hosting two Zoom sessions specific to target audiences: Waiver Members and their Families or HCBS service providers, Case Managers and Care Coordinators. If you would like to learn more or ask questions, please plan to register for a Zoom session that is most appropriate to your role (e.g., Waiver Member or Service Provider). Dates/Times: • Option 1 for Waiver Members and their Families, Guardians, or other Partners (e.g., Advocates) Session: Tues, June 25, 2024, from 11:30AM-12:30PM EST • Option 2 for HCBS Waiver Service Providers, Assessing Services Agencies, Case Managers and Care Coordinators Session: Wednesday, June 26, from 1:00 PM-2:00 PM EST Zoom Registration: There are Zoom registration links provided below. Please register for the session most appropriate to your role (e.g., Waiver Member or Service Provider). • Option 1 for Waiver Members and their Families, Guardians, or other Partners on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 from 11:30a-12:30p EST, register here: https://mainestate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwsdumqrzMpHtdgH1IFizks4LpPkQcAOAym • For Option 2 for Waiver Service Providers, Assessing Services Agencies, Case Managers and Care Coordinators on Wednesday, June 26, from 1:00 PM-2:00 PM EST, register here: https://mainestate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwtcu6trzIsHd3VL17AZDUOenJHP3X2LMU0 The Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) at Maine's Department of Health and Human Services, along with project contractors from the National Association of State Head Injury Administrators (NASHIA), is creating new training on advanced person-centered practices and approaches tailored specifically for brain injury.
If you would like to get involved in a monthly task force or provide input through an interview, focus group, or listening session, please complete the survey (deadline is Friday, May 24th). SIS-A Updates and Question and Answer Session
Please join the Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) and Maximus, our SIS-A assessment vendor for a SIS-A Question and Answer session. The session will focus on the Supports Intensity Scale for Adults 2nd Edition (SIS-A) needs assessments and will also offer updates. The SIS-A needs assessments will be for Sections 21 and 29 members and those on the waitlists. The SIS-A needs assessment will eventually be required for participation in the Lifespan Waiver. We invite you to attend this session to learn about the SIS-A in Maine. There will also be time for attendees to ask questions. All attendees are required to register for the session using the link below. A link to join the Zoom session will be sent to your email after you have registered. June 13, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Registration Link: https://mainestate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMkceqopj0pG9Bn5Z69xcU-hbJ9gij-D-Vc If you need an accommodation, such as real time transcription and captioning (CART), American Sign Language (ASL) or other language interpretation, please contact Miranda Whalen at [email protected]. OADS IDD Direct Service Worker Curriculum Partner Meeting
Please join the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) for a Partner meeting to review the Direct Service Worker curriculum project on June 7, 2024, at 1:00 PM. During this Zoom meeting, OADS will provide an overview of the project, information about the timelines, and how the changes will relate to our partners. This meeting will be recorded. After the event, the recording and any accompanying materials will be posted to the OADS website. We encourage Direct Support Professional (DSP) and Personal Support Specialist (PSS) training partners to attend and participate. Please register and use your unique link to join the meeting. This meeting will be held on Friday, June 7, 2024, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM via Zoom. Please register to attend using this link: https://mainestate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcpde-pqzoqGNTy8UUQNSBhkCKsP0SMxiQw If you require accommodation, such as real-time transcription and captioning (CART), American Sign Language (ASL), or other language interpretation, please contact Miranda Whalen at [email protected] by May 29, 2024. DHHS-OADS Disability Services Reportable Events Training Sections 21 and 29
The Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) Reportable Events trainings for 2024 are now open for registration. The OADS Quality Assurance team is hosting this monthly Zoom training. Goals of the session include reporting requirements, best practices, and answers to questions. This training is for Providers and Case Managers of individuals receiving Section 21 and 29 services. 2024 Schedule of Dates:
After the event, attendees will receive a certificate of attendance. A copy of the PowerPoint presentation is available on the OADS website at: https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/oads/providers/adults-with-intellectual-disability-and-autism/reportable-events Note: Each attendee must register and use their unique link to join the sessions to receive a certificate of attendance. Using another attendee’s unique login link will result in your attendance not being recorded. Please register at this link: https://mainestate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEpd-uvpjsvGtc6D_ntbMkkWyR7ceqBl1wH If you require accommodation, such as real-time transcription and captioning (CART), American Sign Language (ASL), or other language interpretation, please contact Miranda Whalen by email [email protected] at least two weeks before the session you plan to attend. Please contact [email protected] with any questions about Reportable Events training. Additional Screening of "Invisible: Personal Stories from the Front Lines of Disability" on 5/114/29/2024 Join Community Connect for a screening of invisible: Personal stories from the front lines of disability A screening of short videos by and about people living with disability in Maine, followed by a conversation with the filmmakers. Saturday, May 11, at 2:00 p.m. Russell Room, Falmouth Memorial Library 5 Lunt Road, Falmouth (fully accessible facility) Free and open to the public. Please register at: https://communityconnectme.org/events-and-workshops Informational Tour for the Proposed Lifespan Waiver
Please join the Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) as we offer six (6) in-person presentations and discussions on the proposed Lifespan Waiver. These sessions are for youth and adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities, autism, or other related conditions, as well as their families, interested service providers, and any other interested parties, to learn more about updates to the proposed waiver. There will be an opportunity to share comments and ask questions. We especially invite those with intellectual/developmental disabilities, autism, or other related conditions under 18 and/or on a waiting list and not yet receiving any waiver services. These groups will be among the first to access the Lifespan waiver. We also encourage providers who may not yet be providing waiver services to individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, autism, or other related conditions to join us to learn more about the opportunity to become providers for the Lifespan Waiver. We will begin each session with a brief high-level review of the Lifespan Waiver design and updates based on feedback from the input received after the July 2023 Concept Paper was released for comment. Who should attend? OADS is offering an in-person events across the state with Providers, Waiver Members, their Family Members, and other interested parties such as:
Providers will be asked to attend the provider-specific sessions to promote active interaction with content oriented toward their interests. To ensure we have enough space for everyone who wants to attend, please complete the registration form below. If the meeting location changes, we will notify you through the email submitted in the form. Registration Form for In-Person Events: https://forms.office.com/g/b1ebjFgbSn In-Person Events: Maine Department of Health and Human Services Administrative Bldg. 109 Capitol Street Augusta Monday, May 13, 2024 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Providers 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM: Families and Members and interested parties Conference Rooms Maine A and B – to the right as you enter the building DHHS Lewiston District Office 200 Main Street Lewiston Tuesday, May 14, 2024 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM: Providers 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM: Families and Members and interested parties Conference Rooms C and D Brunswick Martin’s Point Health Center 114 Bath Rd Brunswick Tuesday, May 14, 2024 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Families and Members and interested parties Martin's Point Community Room DHHS Bangor District Office 19 Maine Avenue Bangor Wednesday, May 15, 2024 9:00 AM -10:30 AM: Providers 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM: Families and Members and interested parties Room CR 2 DHHS Caribou District Office 30 Skyway Drive, Unit 100 Caribou Thursday, May 16, 2024 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM: Providers 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Families and Members and interested parties Conference Rooms A and B DHHS Portland District Office 151 Jetport Boulevard South Portland Friday, May 17, 2024 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM: Providers 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Families and Members and interested parties Rooms CR 139 A and B If you need accommodation, such as real-time transcription and captioning (CART), American Sign Language (ASL), or other language interpretation, please get in touch with Miranda Whalen at [email protected] by Friday, May 3rd. |
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