Good Morning,
April is Autism Awareness Month, which is an ongoing nationwide effort to promote autism awareness, and acceptance. The Autism Society of America, the nation's oldest leading grassroots autism organization, is proud to celebrate Autism Acceptance Month in April 2021 with its "Celebrate Differences" campaign. Designed to build a better awareness of the signs, symptoms, and realities of autism, #CelebrateDifferences focuses on providing information and resources for communities to be more aware of autism, promote acceptance, and be more inclusive in everyday life. Check it out!
QUICK NOTES
- The COVID-19 numbers continue to increase. The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total test from March 29-April 4, 2021 is 3.8%. The preliminary seven-day statewide test positivity from March 29-April 4, 2021 is 4.5%.
- Next DDAC Meeting will be April 14th at 1pm.
- Remember to register for the Behavioral Supports: What Providers Need to Know webinar on April 8th at 1pm and Dietary and Safe Dining Practices webinar on April 22nd at 1pm.
- As a reminder, the Department of Human Services and the Division, in partnership with The Arc of Illinois, are hosting a Ligas Town Hall event on Monday, April 12, 2021, at 10am. The Division is extremely pleased to announce that the Town Hall will also include Stanley Ligas, the namesake of the Consent Decree, who will share his experiences in community-based services and supports. Register for the Ligas Advisory Council Townhall.
WELCOME OUR NEW DEPUTY DIRECTOR, COMMUNITY SERVICES
I am so pleased to announce that Joy Decker will be joining the Division as the Deputy Director of Community Programs on May 3, 2021. Joy will oversee the Bureau of Quality Management, Bureaus of Community and Regional Services and our Medicaid Waiver Unit. Joy has served as the Executive Director of Esperanza Community Services since 2014. Prior to Esperanza, Joy worked at Orchard Village for 17 years, where she held various roles including case manager, residential director, senior director of programs, and president and CEO. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from Drake University and a MNA in Nonprofit Administration with distinction from North Park University. Joy is committed to serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to build skills that increase independence and a sense of belonging to their chosen communities. We're so excited for Joy to join the team. Please join me in welcoming her!
UPDATE ON DD WAIVER AMENDMENT
In December 2020, the Division submitted a waiver amendment for the Adults with DD HCBS waiver to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to add Remote Supports as a waiver service for CILA, allow PSW services to be provided in a hospital setting, and increase the Adult Day Services (ADS) rate. The Division and HFS have spent the intervening months working with CMS on the amendment. Unfortunately, a host of issues raised by CMS regarding the ADS rate has caused significant delays in this approval and the likelihood of our re-thinking, and need to re-post for public comment. As a result, the Division has made the decision to remove the ADS rate increase from the wavier amendment so we can move forward with the other items. The rate methodology for ADS will be reviewed as part of the waiver amendment being considered for FY 22. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Thank you for all you do.
Warmly,
- Allison V. Stark
- Director, Division of Developmental Disabilities
- Illinois Department of Human Services
- 600 East Ash-Building 400, Springfield, IL 62703
- Tel: (217) 782 -6803
The information contained herein should not be considered a substitute for the appropriate official statutes, rules, regulations, or the advice of legal counsel.
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