Good Afternoon,
QUICK NOTES
- Per IDPH, the preliminary seven-day statewide COVID-19 positivity for cases as a percent of total test from September 3-9, 2021 is 4.5%. The preliminary seven-day statewide test positivity from September 3-9, 2021 is 5.1%.
- DDD Fall Community Provider Training series can be found on our DDD Training webpage.
- Join the Waiver Renewals feedback session on September 30th at 1pm. Register for the Waiver Renewals feedback session.
- Our previous communication listed Melissa Shaw, SODC Transition Coordinator's email incorrectly. If you would like to reach out about SODC transitions please email Melissa Shaw.
DSP RECOGNITION WEEK
This week is DSP Recognition Week! So far, I have been able to visit three provider organizations and will be visiting a fourth later this week to personally thank our DSPs. At every visit, each DSP I was able to chat with shared how important their work, and the people they support, was to them. Their tenure ranged from a few months to over 25 years! The dedication to individuals with I/DD was palpable from all. I am so happy I was able to mask up and get out to providers to personally thank some of our DSPs. Thank you Keshet, Helping Hand, New Star and Encore Developmental Services for having me. Thanks also to all the organizations that asked me to send personal messages to their DSPs. It was an honor!
CHICAGO BASED DDD ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Join the DDD team! The Division of Developmental Disabilities is seeking to hire an independent, highly organized, and detail-oriented staff assistant for the Director's Office in Chicago. This position serves as Administrative Assistant for the Director of Developmental Disabilities. This position will be responsible for performing highly sensitive and confidential duties in the overall administration of the Division. The successful candidate shall demonstrate exemplary organizational and communication skills, be a self-starter, and be able to carry out assignments with limited oversight in a timely manner. You can apply here.
BALC MITIGATION PLANS DUE BY SEPTEMBER 30
The Bureau of Accreditation, Licensure and Certification (BALC) wants to remind CILA providers with failed life safety code inspections, that have not been cleared by the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), are required to provide a written mitigation plan outlining plans to correct non-compliant fire safety citations. To avoid an admissions hold, and potential additional penalties, please provide your mitigation plan to BALC by September 30, 2021, using the Excel template provided on the BALC webpage (you can also find additional details here). An example Mitigation Plan is attached to the communication. Please ensure you complete all columns by the dates indicated. *The information in the spreadsheet is an example of how to complete, please remove that info and replace with our own.
DDD SEP FUNDING REVALIDATION COMING
In the coming weeks DDD Supported Employment (39U & 39G) providers will be provided clarity on new program and billing codes (proposed in the Waiver Amendment, effective post January 2022 pending CMS approval) as well as the re-authorization process designed to increase the transparency, accuracy and data collection related to Medicaid Waiver funded supported employment services. As a reminder, this fall all providers will be required to re-validate their use of group and individual supported employment for all individuals that have been receiving supported employment services prior to January 1, 2022. Updated billing codes and descriptions will be communicated via an updated DDD SEP Information Bulletin. DDD SEP Providers are encouraged to reach out with any questions, comments, or concerns related to Waiver funded supported employment. Please contact Casey Burke .
HRST REMINDERS
As a reminder, all residential providers are required to have a Clinical Reviewer to provide clinical reviews for individuals who have a Health Care Level of 3 or higher. The next Clinical Reviewer training is September 23 from 9am -3pm (CST). Register here for the Clinical Reviewer training. Please be aware that IntellectAbility (formerly known as Health Risk Screening, Inc.) is based in the Eastern Time zone and the training is listed as 10 am EST and 9 am CST.
ONGOING BILLING ISSUES
The Division is aware that there are still issues related to providers billing for their July and August services. As we stated in a previous communication, this is related to the Department's change in its billing systems that went into effect July 1, 2021. Please know we are working closely with IDHS Budget and DoIT to correct these issues as quickly as we can and will communicate with impacted providers as soon as resolution is achieved. If you are getting rejected billings please contact Sarah Myerscough-Mueller WEBINAR OPPORTUNITY
Join the Center for Advancing Policy on Employment for Youth (CAPE-Youth) on October 7 from 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm (EST) for a Virtual Event: Trauma-Informed Policy Considerations for Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities. This webinar will highlight the pervasive nature of trauma and adverse childhood experiences among youth and young adults with disabilities and explore how trauma-informed care practices can be applied to workforce systems to help decrease barriers to employment for youth with histories of trauma. Register here for the Webinar.
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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