Notice of Statewide Transition Plan (STP) for Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Settings
AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of MaineCare Services RULE TITLE OR SUBJECT: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has published regulations that define the settings in which it is permissible for states to pay for Medicaid HCBS services. The Statewide Transition Plan is required as part of ensuring Maine comes into full compliance with the federal regulations. This initial STP describes the state’s overall strategies, processes, and resources it will deploy to complete all efforts necessary to come into full compliance with the federal regulations by the end of the transition period afforded to the state. The STP is intended to serve as the state’s roadmap for implementing the federal HCBS rule and outlines a detailed work plan and timeline for ensuring that all settings in which HCBS services are provided comply with the new standards by March 2022. WAIVERS: The following waivers are subject to the new federal and state requirements within CMS 2249-F/CMS 2296-F:
The revised Maine HCBS Statewide Transition Plan will be submitted to CMS in April 2020 and will be effective upon CMS approval. For the aspects of the rule that apply to HCBS settings, states have until March 2022 to ensure alignment of the state’s policies, programs, and provider settings with the federal settings criteria. States must submit a Statewide Transition Plan (STP) that describes the state’s overall strategies, processes, and resources it will deploy to complete all implementation efforts by the end of the transition period. The STP is also intended to serve as the state’s roadmap for implementing the federal HCBS rule with fidelity and outlines a detailed work plan and timeline for ensuring that all settings in which HCBS services are provided comply with the new standards by March 2022. The State of Maine is deeply committed to implementing the federal HCBS requirements with fidelity, and is using the rule as a catalyst for implementing other improvements to policy, payment, and practice associated with Medicaid-funded HCBS in an effort to improve access to and quality of HCBS services and options throughout the state. As such, the state has been working with stakeholders on several additional systems change efforts that complement the vision of the federal HCBS rule. STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 42 CFR 441.301(c)(6) Public Hearing: Date: March 12, 2020 Time: 1:00 p.m. Location: DHHS, 109 Capitol Street, Room A/B, Augusta, ME 04333 The Department requests that any interested party requiring special arrangements to attend the hearing contact the agency person listed below before March 6, 2020. The Department welcomes public comments on the Maine HCBS Statewide Transition Plan. Comments may be submitted: In writing to the agency contact person listed below; or
AGENCY CONTACT PERSON: Thomas Leet AGENCY NAME: Office of MaineCare Services ADDRESS: 109 Capitol Street, 11 State House Station Augusta, Maine 04333 [email protected] PHONE: (207) 624-4068 FAX: (207) 287- 1864 TTY: Maine relay 711 (deaf or Hard of Hearing) We continue to add amazing films featuring people with IDD to our Sproutflix catalogue. If you would like to view the latest additions: http://sproutflix.org/new-additions-2020/ - Enjoy!
The Sprout Film Festival will be taking place in: Batavia, NY on Saturday, March 7th (Arc of Genesee Orleans) Tempe, AZ on Friday, April 3rd (Arc of Arizona) Boise, ID on Tuesday, April 28th (Arc of Idaho) Pittsfield, MA on Sunday, May 9th (Berkshire County Arc) Our 2020 brochure of vacations for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) has been mailed out. We also have a virtual version of the brochure if you would like to check it out: https://gosprout.org/vacation-programs/2020brochure/ Registration for the 3rd Annual Free Parent and Youth Conference, sponsored by Maine Parent Federation and GEAR Parent Network, is now open. The conference will be held on Saturday, March 14th, 2020 9:00 am - 4:00 pm at the Governor Hill Mansion, 136 State Street, Augusta. This year’s conference topic is Peer Support – It Takes a Village! Come and learn about parent and youth peer supports and how you can benefit from receiving these free services available in our state! Also learn how parents and youth can become peer mentors themselves. We will also have a very inspirational special guest speaker, 21 year old Self-Advocate Jake Shumbo. Jake’s message of “Different Ability” versus “Disability” inspires his audiences to look beyond labels and how despite your ability you can be the leader of your own destiny. Youth track is for youth ages 14+ will occur at same time as Parent Track workshops/panels. Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. I have attached both the flyer for advertising as well as the agenda of the days events. Please feel free to share both as much as possible. Click this link to register: https://crisisandcounseling.org/peersupportconf/ ![]()
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The Census and the Disability Community: Get Ready to be Counted!
Please join The Arc and the National Disability Rights Network for a webinar to discuss the 2020 Census and how it relates to the disability community. The webinar will begin with a 2020 Census overview along with a summary of why it matters to people with disabilities. The webinar will also share the resources and materials for a successful Get out the Count (GOTC) effort. February 13, 2020 2 pm ET Registration: https://app.certain.com/profile/3152424 View online
A Public hearing was held on 1/27 in front of the Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee for LD 1984, "An Act To Eliminate Waiting Lists for Home and Community-based Services for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities, Autism, Brain Injury and Other Related Conditions" It is not too late to submit written testimony online and/or contact members of the HHS Committee. Please consider taking action to show your support for this bill, and there are a couple easy ways in which you can do so:
Additionally, LD 399, "An Act To Align Wages for Direct Care Workers for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism with the Minimum Wage" passed last year but was on the Special Appropriations Table awaiting funding when the Legislature adjourned last session. This bill would set MaineCare reimbursement rates for direct service providers (DSP) for adults with intellectual disabilities or autism at least 125% of the state minimum wage. The bill was carried over into the Second Legislative Session and currently sits with the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee. If the DSP rates remain something about which you’re concerned, and you believe they ought to be set at 125% of minimum wage, you might consider reaching out to members of the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee advocating for this bill’s passage. You can contact Members of the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee via the email addresses below:
Thank you! Forwarded Action Alert – Maine Disability Alerts: Upcoming Public Hearing regarding LD 1984 "An Act To Eliminate Waiting Lists for Home and Community-based Services for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities, Autism, Brain Injury and Other Related Conditions." Dear Friends of Mainers with Disabilities, A Public hearing has been scheduled for LD 1984, "An Act To Eliminate Waiting Lists for Home and Community-based Services for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities, Autism, Brain Injury and Other Related Conditions" The public hearing will be at 2 pm on Monday, 1/27 in the Health and Human Services (HHS) committee room, which is room 209 Burton M Cross State Office Building, Augusta (free parking is available in the garage across the street). Please consider taking action to show your support for this bill, and there are a few easy ways in which you can do so:
Webinar 1/22: Partnering with Families to Provide Programs for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Register for the webinar on Wednesday, January 22 at 1:30 - 2:45 pm ET. Tennessee’s Employment and Community First CHOICES program, serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, was implemented in 2016 following robust engagement of the people and families who would be served by the program and extensive collaboration across state agencies and the advocacy community. The program emphasizes employment and community inclusion as the first and preferred option for people with intellectual and development disabilities and provides a broad array of services responding to the diverse needs shared by people and families. The National Center on Advancing Person-Centered Practices and Systems (NCAPPS) presents a webinar: "Meaningful Stakeholder Engagement: A Collaborative Approach to Programs for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Their Families" on January 22. Participants in this webinar will learn:
All NCAPPS webinars are recorded and archived at ncapps.acl.gov. NCAPPS assists states, tribes, and territories to transform their long-term care service and support systems to implement U.S. Department of Health and Human Services policy on person-centered thinking, planning, and practices. It supports a range of person-centered thinking, planning, and practices, regardless of funding source. Activities include providing technical assistance to states, tribes, and territories; establishing communities of practice to promote best practices; hosting educational webinars; and creating a national clearinghouse of resources to support person-centered practice. Visit the NCAPPS website for more information. SequelCare of Maine is currently looking to fill a few of our open beds in our growing Section 21 program. These openings are located in Windham and Winthrop.
In Windham, we have an opening for a male client in our brand new 2-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom duplex style home located in a quiet neighborhood. The home features an open concept kitchen and living area with a full basement, large closets and a nice backyard with a deck. The bedrooms and full bath are on the second level. Our Winthrop home is an updated older house with 5 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms, a large kitchen and good-sized living room. The house sits back from a main road and has a wooded back yard. We have an opening for a male or female client in one of our second-floor bedrooms. We plan to open several new residential homes in Westbrook this spring and will be looking for male and female clients. Please contact Jaye van Dussen at [email protected] or 207-319-5688 for more information and to discuss any questions. We look forward to hearing from you! Sequel Care of Maine works with children, families and adults with mental and behavioral health needs. We also offer home health services. Our offices are located in Bangor, Searsport and Yarmouth. We serve those with MaineCare and offer: Outpatient Therapy, Home Health Care, Behavioral Health Home (case management), Substance Use Disorder Treatment, Opioid Health Home, Direct Living Skills, Home and Community-based Treatment and Rehabilitative and Community Support Services. Wings for All® is Coming to BGR Airport
We are happy to announce that Wings for All will be landing at the Bangor International Airport (BGR) on Saturday, February 1, 2020. Wings for All® is an airport rehearsal program designed specifically for individuals with autism or other intellectual disabilities. Families are given the opportunity to practice all steps involved in air travel including: entering the airport, obtaining a boarding card, going through TSA security, and boarding a real plane (that does not take off). A small reception will be held for all participants with light snacks and refreshments after deboarding the plane. This event is FREE to families, but pre-registration is required as space is limited. Wings for All is a national program of The Arc of the US. For more information, check out the Wings program website at thearc.org/wings or contact Cathy Dionne at [email protected]. FLYER Register Seasons Greetings Postcard to Send to Your Local Legislators
It is an excellent time before the legislative session gets busy to reach out to your local legislators. Sending a postcard or email is a good way to build or strengthen your relationship with them. We have made it easy for you to do this by creating a “Seasons Greetings” postcard. For more details click on this link: https://communityconnectme.org/ It has all of the instructions about how to find the contact information for your local legislators and how to download and send a card. - Thanks and Seasons Greetings to you all! Kim Humphrey Community Connect Maine [email protected] |
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