ATTENTION: Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Providers(Sections 18, 19, 20, 21, & 29)
OADS welcomes provider engagement in monthly HCBS meetings regarding our work moving towards HCBS compliance. Please mark your calendars for the last Wednesday of the month, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., for upcoming monthly meetings to be held: January 25, 2023 February 22, 2023 March 29, 2023 April 26, 2023 May 31, 2023 June 28, 2023 July 26, 2023 August 30, 2023 September 27, 2023 October 25, 2023 November 29, 2023 December 27, 2023 Please use the following Zoom meeting information: Join Zoom Meeting: https://mainestate.zoom.us/j/84039843115?pwd=L2NSb1NiRllCd0RyaHhSWnVrNTRHUT09 Meeting ID: 840 3984 3115 Passcode: 27418898 Dial by your location +1 646 876 9923 US (New York) Find your local number: https://mainestate.zoom.us/u/klgRvhM1T Two new reports about direct care workers - one to the Maine legislature and one national one with state profiles and recommended policy strategies
Autism Society of Maine is hiring!
Please see the job description for the two open positions below: Autism Information Specialist Coordinator Position The Autism Society of Maine is looking for an initiative-taking individual to coordinate our Autism Information Specialist program. We want the individual to help expand the program. We have flexible hours, offer 401 K, holidays, and competitive salary. Full time position (35 hours) – Both in office (Winthrop) and home based Job requires knowledge of statewide services for special needs children and adults, knowledge of autism preferred, good phone skills, multi-tasking, organizational skills, ability to work independently, meet deadlines, follow directions, data base skills (Access), Microsoft word, excel, and light to moderate lifting. Interested candidates please mail or email a cover letter and a resume to: Autism Society of Maine Executive Director 72 B Main Street Winthrop, ME 04364 or [email protected] Community Outreach Liaison The Autism Society of Maine (ASM) is looking for a knowledgeable candidate for an exciting position. Job will include attending legislative hearings, following rule and policy changes, representing ASM in stakeholder meetings, and media interviews. Working with ASM Board of Directors legislative committee. Part time 25 hours per week. Work from home. The position requires a demonstrated understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder, knowledgeable about legislation process, excellent verbal and written communication skills. Interested candidates please mail a cover letter and resume to: Autism Society of Maine Executive Director 72B Main Street Winthrop, ME 04364 Or send resume to [email protected] Maine Parent Federation Upcoming 2023 Virtual Family Support Navigator Training Opportunity1/11/2023
Maine Parent Federation
Virtual Family Support Navigator Training March 1 & 2, 2023 Are you the parent of, or caregiver to, a child with a disability or special health care need? Would you like to share your knowledge and provide peer-to-peer support to other Maine families? If so, this virtual training opportunity may be for you! Maine Parent Federation (MPF) is seeking parents, grandparents, and caregivers to children with disabilities and/or special health care needs who would like to attend this training to become a Family Support Navigator (FSN) and provide peer support to other Maine families. The FSN program matches experienced parents with other parents who need support while learning to navigate systems such as Special Education, Vocational Rehabilitation, MaineCare, Adult Services, etc., and assists them in locating local and statewide resources while helping parents learn to advocate for themselves. During the Pandemic all support was provided through phone, text, email, and social media platforms such as Zoom. Now that restrictions are easing if both parent and Navigator agree, meetings can be held in-person. As a parent who has been involved with MPF in the past, we are contacting you to see if you would like to use your skills and knowledge to support other families. A Family Support Navigator is a part-time independent consultant position. MPF contracts with you to provide up to 10 hours of support to each family you help. We pay $15.00 per hour for direct support to a family, provide a $40 monthly stipend for phone/internet when actively working with families, and .46 cents per mile travel reimbursement. This is a flexible opportunity where you set your own hours/schedule. MPF provides on-going supervision and technical assistance. This virtual training over zoom will be held on Wednesday, March 1 from 9:00 AM to Noon, and Thursday, March 2 from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM. There will be four other pre-recorded segments to the training that you can complete at your convenience. Once you have completed the 10-hour virtual training we will provide you with a $150 stipend. Please contact Deborah Newcombe at (800) 870-7746 or E-mail: [email protected] to receive an application and job description and to answer any questions. PSL/STRIVE is hosting a Parent Session: Building a Team Thursday, January 26, 2023 39 Darling Ave. South Portland, ME 6:30pm-8:00pm Our TOPS Transition team is offering a parent session, intended for parents of young adults with intellectual disabilities and/or autism. The session will focus on resources and strategies for building a collaborative team during the transition process. Betsy Morrison 207-879-0847 [email protected] www.pslstrive.org PSL Services/STRIVE assists people with emotional and intellectual disabilities to live with dignity and respect as active members of our community. They offer a wide range of services. Visit the website to learn more about Community Supports, Case Management, and Employment Opportunities. Bell Evaluation and Education Consulting has been contracted by Partnerships For Health (PFH) through the Maine Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC) to conduct an evaluation to better understand decision-making practices, including guardianship, among individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities in Maine.
As part of the evaluation, Bell Evaluation and Education Consulting is implementing this survey to assess current practices in Maine and capture the perspectives of people with lived experience. This includes individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, their parents and family members, and guardians. Your participation in the survey will help inform the development of resources and supportive materials that may help people in their guardianship role. The survey will be open until January 31, 2023. Click here to start the survey: https://umassamherst.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3l3Ca7CT07rENuu If you have any questions, please contact Bev Bell at [email protected]. Thank you in advance for your participation! Attention Providers of Section 18, 19, 20, 21, and 29 Services: Appendix K to Maine’s Home and Community Based Waivers Continues to Provide Temporary Flexibilities on Service Caps, Staffing
Appendix K to Maine’s Home and Community-Based Services 1915(c) waivers provides the state certain flexibilities in waiver program operations during an emergency. Maine’s Appendix K and amendments may be found here. Section K-2.b.ii. of Maine’s Appendix K, which allows service caps to be exceeded and group home staffing to be lower than authorized levels, was originally set to expire on May 31, 2020. Due to continuing need related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department has extended this provision 10 times, most recently through December 31, 2022. At this time, given ongoing challenges related to COVID-19 throughout Maine, the Department will continue to provide flexibility under Section K-2.b.ii through March 31, 2023. Beginning October 1, 2022, the Department has allowed staffing in Section 21 group homes to be no lower than 80% of authorized levels, provided that the health and safety of residents can be maintained. The Department is maintaining this requirement through March 31, 2023. The Department is monitoring workforce conditions closely and will make decisions about April 1, 2023 staffing levels In March. Questions on use of Appendix K flexibilities may be sent to [email protected]. Southern Maine Advisory Council on Transition (SMACT) meeting Friday 1/6/23 Join us on Friday January 6th for our quarterly meeting featuring two speakers on vital community resources for individuals with disabilities: Debra Bare-Rogers/Advocate, Telecommunications Relay Services with Disability Rights Maine will speak about Maine Relay Services, 711, IP Relay, Relay Conference Captioning and the Telecommunications Equipment Program serving Deaf and HOH individuals in Maine. Michelle Bailey Cumberland County Youth Career Advisor with Workforce Solutions, Goodwill Northern New England will speak about the Workforce Solutions program which helps youth ages 16-24 realize their potential, plan for education, find and keep employment and make successful transitions to self-sufficiency. For more information see the flyer below. This meeting will be held by Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86406967275?pwd=M3p6RXlsdTZqa3dGY3NwQ0MweEUwZz09 Happy New Year to all! Nancy Peavy Transition Strategist Portland Public Schools 353 Cumberland Ave, Portland ME 04101 207.800.6712 Children’s Behavioral Health Services Provider Meeting
Wednesday, December 14, 2022, 9:00AM - 11:00AM TEAMS ONLY PLEASE FIND THE AGENDA AS AN ATTACHMENT AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE Please join us for our Children’s Behavioral Health Services Provider meeting Wednesday, December 14, 2022, from 9:00am to 11:00am, via TEAMS (TEAMS pre-registration information is included at the bottom of this page). Who should attend: Program Managers/Supervisors of: Behavioral Health Home Coordinators, Home and Community Based Providers, Outpatient Clinicians, Rehabilitative Community Support Services, and Targeted Case Managers actively serving youth with behavioral health challenges. MEETING CONTENT: This meeting will feature updates from OCFS, MaineCare and Kepro. Additionally, we will have a discussion about future meetings and topics of interest. Time will be allotted for attendees to have the opportunity to learn, network, and collaborate with peers. ATTACHMENTS: Attached to this communication are the following:REGISTRATION INFORMATION: The TEAMS meeting registration information is included below: Register here Aging and Disability Connections Newsletter
Stay Connected Newsletter Subscription Visit the Subscriber Preferences Page to subscribe to this quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook! Website www.maine.gov/dhhs/oads Adult Protective Services 1-800-624-8404 Maine Crisis Line 1-888-568-1112 Director’s MessageRebuilding UnderwayThe past few years have been hard on everyone: the individuals supported by our services; their families and friends; the agencies, staff, volunteers and advocates providing support; and public agency staff at OADS and in sister agencies across state government. Although COVID-19 is not fully behind us, we are now focused on rebuilding our system with an eye to the future. Armed with one-time funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) has launched several initiatives to make our array of services more resilient and innovative so they can adapt to a rapidly changing landscape. Many of you have expressed interest in helping and in knowing more about what we’re doing. In this first edition of our newsletter, you can learn about a sampling of work under way and how to locate more information and stay in touch with us. Highlights include:
~Paul Saucier, Director Rise Model Receives AttentionAn exciting project involving Maine Adult Protective Services (APS) was recently profiled in the journal The Gerontologist. Together with researchers, Maine APS helped to develop the “RISE model” for working with older clients who have experienced abuse, neglect, or exploitation. “RISE” reflects a focus on Repairing harm, Inspiring change, Supporting decisions, and Empowering choice. Started in Aroostook and Cumberland counties and expanded statewide, this model focuses on an older adult clients’ goals and needs, and, if the client wishes, includes support for the harmer and/or the client-harmer relationship. RISE complements existing APS practices and fills an important gap in meeting the needs of older adults experiencing harm. We are grateful to have been able to participate in this project, and we continue to see the benefits of the program to APS clients. A second article on the project involving the RISE model was published in the Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect. The article discusses the RISE model and the Elder Services Connections program from the perspective of the Adult Protective Services caseworkers who make referrals to the program. The article is based on interviews conducted by researchers with APS caseworkers, and we thank the caseworkers who participated for contributing to this work! The Elder Service Connections program is also being bolstered by a newly announced Elder Justice Innovation Grant through the Administration on Community Living. Elder Abuse Institute of Maine (EIAME) was awarded the grant over a two-year period in collaboration with Maine APS, as well as New Hampshire APS. The grant will allow EAIME to expand the RISE program to test a substance use intervention model called RISESUP and assist clients who are impacted by substance use in some way. The Elder Services Connections program (a “wraparound service pilot”) was recommended for continuation in the Elder Justice Roadmap due to the demonstrated success of the program to date. “Although COVID-19 is not fully behind us, we are now focused on rebuilding our system with an eye to the future.” COVID-19 Immunization GrantIn the Fall of 2021, OADS partnered with the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to receive funding through the COVID-19 Immunization Grant. This is a three-year federal health equity grant, which aims to improve education and vaccination status for COVID-19 and flu among certain population groups in Maine, such as older and disabled adults, and adults living in rural areas. These are groups that felt the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic more than others. OADS has partnered with many local organizations through this grant to better serve the people mentioned above. For example, OADS has helped to perform the following grant-funded activities:
APS CampaignAdult Protective Services recently launched a public service announcement (PSA) campaign on radio stations around the state and on social media to encourage members of the public to be on the lookout for abuse, neglect, and exploitation of incapacitated and dependent adults and to report it. The PSAs will run periodically through the rest of this year. Remember: if an incapacitated or dependent adult in your life is experiencing abuse, neglect, or exploitation, please call 1-800-624-8404 or (207) 287-1234. The phone line is available 24/7 or you can make a report online here. Governor Mills Launches Cabinet on AgingGovernor Mills signed an Executive Order in June 2022, establishing Maine’s new Cabinet on Aging. The Cabinet on Aging was established to eliminate silos across State government, enhance communication, and accelerate actions and improved coordination to help every person in Maine age safely, affordably, in ways and settings that best serve their needs, including examining new modes of long-term services and supports. . Commissioner Lambrew of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and Commissioner Fortman of the Department of Labor are co-chairing the Cabinet, and it is supported by the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future (GOPIF). According to the Governor’s Order, the Cabinet will meet quarterly, and recently met in October for the second time. During the October meeting, the Cabinet reviewed the results of two listening sessions held on September 19th & 28th, discussed potential avenues for on-going stakeholder engagement, and received an update on the Respite for ME program. The Cabinet has a website on the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future and plans to continue gathering input on its priorities through the end of this year. If you have suggestions for cross-departmental issues that should be prioritized by the Cabinet on Aging, you can provide your input via this contact form. Attention CAREGIVERS!Have you heard about Respite for ME? Respite for ME Grants, funded by the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan, will allow caregivers to access respite care as well as other services not currently covered by existing programs. Eligible caregivers may receive up to $2,000 to access needed services. You can learn more at the FAQ found on our website! Upcoming Behavioral Health and Crisis Services Report Stakeholder MeetingThe Department contracted with the UNH Institute on Disability National Center for START Services to conduct a system evaluation regarding mental health service experiences for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental health needs (IDD-MH). At this meeting, the researchers from NCSS will present summaries of data gathered and recommendations for enhancing and improving mental health and crisis services for people with IDD. System stakeholders, including service providers, people receiving these services, family members, advocates, and others are invited to this meeting with OADS and the National Center for START Services (NCSS)* on Monday, December 5, 2022, from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM. This meeting will be held on Zoom. Please use this link to register to attend: https://mainestate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUrc-6hqjwuGd0p11yEXNBjeYLxR5PCKLrg If you need an accommodation, such as real time transcription and captioning (CART) or American Sign Language (ASL) or other language interpretation, please contact Miranda Whalen at [email protected] by November 28, 2022. *The Center for START (Systemic, Therapeutic, Assessment, Resources, and Treatment) Services at the Institute on Disability/UCED at the University of New Hampshire is a national initiative that works to strengthen efficiencies and service outcomes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and behavioral health needs in the community. Attention IDD Service providers!Did you know that the COVID Immunization Grant program will reimburse providers of Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) services for hosting COVID/flu vaccination clinics? Eligible clinics should be focused on serving individuals with IDD, their families, and staff. A reimbursement of $2,000 is available for clinic-related costs, such as provider staff expenses, clinic set-up, advertisement, and clean-up costs. The program will cover costs for two vaccine clinics per year, each being eligible for reimbursement (up to a grand total of $4,000 for two clinics). If you would like to participate in the program or learn more, please email Megan Casey, the OADS Vaccine Outreach Manager, at [email protected].. Caring For ME CampaignCaring For ME is a multimedia public service campaign that promotes direct care worker jobs as a career choice. The initial marketing work was lead by the Maine Department of Labor (MEDOL), which convened an external advisory panel of expert stakeholders to create a web page with resources. Using Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan (MJRP) funds, MEDOL created a web page explaining career pathways, a job board, training opportunities around the state, and lists of hiring events. The Caring for ME Campaign also collected and produced 12 stories of Home and Community Based Support (HCBS) specialists to give direct care and behavioral health workers a voice about the important work they do. DHHS is excited to build on MEDOLs Caring For ME campaign using one-time American Rescue Plan section 9817 funds to recruit workers into the HCBS field. All campaign efforts will work to promote recruitment and retention efforts and to raise the status of direct care and support work as a profession in long-term services and supports positions (LTSS) throughout the State of Maine. Stay tuned as we begin the next phase of Caring For ME! For information about other workforce initiatives at OADS, see our workforce page WHAT’S NEW WITH COVID-19? On August 31, 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized new Pfizer and Moderna bivalent vaccines to be administered to those who have already received the earlier primary series and recommended boosters. These new vaccines will “boost” immunity provided by the original monovalent vaccines and broaden immunity to include the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants. These 2 subvariants are highly contagious and have been responsible for the ongoing new cases and outbreaks since late Spring. As we enter fall and the upcoming flu season, it is important for everyone to update and maintain COVID-19 immunity. Here are some important facts to consider:
A Path For ME OrientationPlease join OADS for an "A Path for ME" orientation in December 2022. The focus will be on the start of the "A Path for ME" Lifespan Project and the upcoming start of the needs assessment. The needs assessments will be for Section 21 and 29 members and those on the waitlist. There will be two sessions. Each will focus on the needs and interests of the following groups: Waiver Members and Families/Guardians: December 13, 2022 from 4:00pm to 5:00pm Registration link: https://mainestate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAod--tqTwvGd3WkthQFwzd-feDOnwe_-W1#/registration Providers of Section 21 and 29 services: December 15, 2022 from 11:00am to 12:00pm Registration link: https://mainestate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0qc-Ghqz4pEteeT9DfhCVElBUlAexV-PvP#/registration If you need an accommodation, such as real time transcription and captioning (CART) or American Sign Language (ASL) or other language interpretation, please contact Miranda Whalen at [email protected] by November 30, 2022. Self-Directed Option Now Available to Members Receiving Section 29 Waiver ServicesSelf-directed services are home and community-based services that help individuals across all types of disabilities maintain their independence and determine for themselves what mix of supports and services work best for them. Self-direction provides individuals enrolled under Section 29, with a flexible budget that enables them to hire their own workers. This allows decisions about who is hired, when they will work, how much they get paid, and managing the worker. If an individual wishes to use this option but prefers to have another person manage these responsibilities, they can appoint a representative to act on their behalf. Self-direction allows you to manage your own services and puts you in the driver's seat. You have choice and control over:
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