The Meeting Opened by Reviewing the February 2008 Affiliate Report

Shawnee County CDDO

Affiliate Meeting Minutes

March 10, 2008

CDDO Updates:

The meeting opened by reviewing the February 2008 Affiliate Report. There are currently 968 adults and children receiving services in Shawnee County and 66 of those have not selected a case manager. The SNCDDO continues to educate individuals and their parents/guardians about the benefits of having a case manager.

Coleen (Stuckle) Hernandez transferred to the BASIS Screener II position and Edie Bynum was hired for the BASIS Screener I position.

The Shawnee County Transition Council is planning an informational event in April. The event focuses on a “real life” look at what students should plan for after high school. The event will include information about community services, programs and employment options. The event will be held at Shawnee Heights High School. Students from all the local high schools are invited to participate.

A handout explaining the purpose of HB 2761 was included in the information packet. The bill is designed to increase funding for direct support staff wages. The 2006 rate study indicated that the average hourly wage for community based programs was $8.62/hour versus $12/hour for state institution employees. The bill also identifies the need for additional funding to remove all individuals from the Developmental Disability (DD) waiting list.

The Dual Diagnosis Task Force (DDTF) members consist of representatives from the DD and MH agencies statewide. The task force identified the need for cohesion of developmental disability (DD) and mental health (MH) services across the state. There are an increasing number of individuals who require more intensive support and expertise from both systems to be successful. The task force has identified the need for additional funding to provide crisis homes in the community and to provide cross training of DD and MH staff. There has been some discussion of recruiting additional colleagues with expertise in specific areas to participate on sub-committees. The SNCDDO will continue to host training at no cost to local mental health partners. The SNCDDO also will be sending out information to register for the “Hearing Voices” training offered by Valeo.

HCP/CSS News:

The HCBS MR/DD Waiver Handbook was distributed via e-mail February 28, 2008.

ACIL changes; SRS held a follow up conference call on March 6 – The ACIL program is a state medicaid plan for medically fragile children and currently serves 350 children. Out of the 350, there are 87 children who receive MR/DD waiver services. These individuals will be transitioning from the ACIL state plan to the Technology Assistance (TA) waiver by July 2008. The nursing case manager will be scheduling a meeting with the family to determine if the child is eligible for the (TA) Waiver. The TA Waiver amendment includes both nursing and attendant care services since individuals may not access two waiver services. The DD and TA Case Manager are to work collaboratively with families during the transition period. It is not yet known how this will impact the 8 foster care children in SRS custody receiving DD residential funding and nursing services. Families will have a choice between the TA and DD waiver when eligible for both. The TA waiver serves individuals from birth thru 21 (up to age 22).

Info/resources/trainings:

·  CDDO Quarterly Training (Overview, Licensing, POC, BASIS); March 13th. Introduction to Understanding Behaviors; March 19th 1:00-3:30pm at TARC. Presenter: Quinta Avance

·  ANCOR Six-Part Webinar Series about Workforce Development

·  Rights, Responsibilities, Advocacy & Personal Safety training for persons receiving services for six consecutive Mondays beginning April 14th.

·  TARC Self-determination free training April 11th at TARC.

·  Protecting Senior Citizens brochure

·  Free Income Tax Guide

Register for training(s) by sending and RSVP to

Next meeting is scheduled April 14, 2008