DDD Communication
March 18, 2024
QUICK NOTES
- Last week, the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) communicated updates related to the Reporting of Community Services (ROCS) system. DDD continues to work with the Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT) to ensure successful completion of the implementation of all 1/1/24 rates as well as fixes to recent billing issues. DDD will provide updates to stakeholders as needed.
- Per the March 8, 2024, DDD Communication, ICAP scores are being mailed out this week to both providers and Independent Service Coordination (ISC) agencies. This mailing will show the most up to date ICAP scores that have been reported from the ISC agency and will allow providers and ISC agencies the opportunity to review all ICAPs for Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA) residents prior to the 7/1/24 ICAP update that will be required from ISC agencies.
- Last week, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) issued a public notice to announce a virtual Town Hall Meeting hosted by the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) to discuss the merger of DRS' three (3) Home and Community-Base Services (HCBS) Waivers: Persons with Disabilities (IL 0142), Persons with HIV/AIDS - IL 0202, and Persons with Brain Injury (IL 0329). The potential waiver does not impact DDD's three (3) HCBS Waivers: Adults with Developmental Disabilities (IL 0350), Children and Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities - Residential Waiver (IL 0473), and Children and Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities - Support Waiver (IL 0464).
- DDD recently posted a DRAFT Information Bulletin DRAFT - Guidance on the Health Risk Screening Tool (replaces DDD.21.015). The DRAFT is open for public comment through Monday, March 25, 2024.
REMINDER: DHS DAY PROGRAM RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION PROGRAM WEBINAR
Last week, DDD announced the creation of a grant program for the distribution of the $12.5 million supplemental funding appropriated by the Illinois General Assembly to DDD in January 2023. Day Program (Community Day Services (Waiver), Supported Employment Program (Waiver), and Developmental Training (ICF)) provider agency CEOs should have received an email last week regarding the agency's authorized representative to receive access to the grant portal as well as an initial email with portal log-in information.
Today, Monday, March 18, 2024, DDD will be hosting a webinar to discuss the program, the distribution of the funding, and the portal to be used for distributing the funding. This webinar is recommended for CDS, SEP, and Developmental Training provider agencies. DDD will be recording the webinar and will make it available on the DDD Recorded Webinars page. Please see below for webinar information.
Date: Monday, March 18, 2024
Time: 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. CST
Registration Link: DHS Day Program Recruitment and Retention Program Webinar
FY24 SEP REVALIDATION PROCESS
Beginning April 1, 2024, DDD will begin accepting Revalidation requests for active DDD Supported Employment Program (SEP) authorizations. Similar to the process followed in previous DDD SEP Revalidations, DDD SEP provider agencies are directed to submit the appropriate documentation to their respective Independent Service Coordination (ISC) agency or agencies for all individuals utilizing an active DDD SEP authorization, both Individual and Group, to maintain Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE).
FY24 Revalidation pertains to all DDD SEP authorizations that were Revalidated in FY23 as well as all new/initial awards activated prior to March 1, 2024. New/initial DDD SEP requests submitted and processed after March 1, 2024, do not require FY24 Revalidations but will be subject to future Revalidation. The process to request New/Initial requests for DDD SEP is not impacted by Revalidation.
Please do not submit any FY24 Revalidation requests before April 1, 2024. Detailed information regarding the FY24 Revalidation process can be found on the Division's Employment webpage: DDD SEP FY24 Revalidation Guidelines.
ELECTRONIC VISIT VERIFICATION REMINDERS
At this time, Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) should be used by all Personal Support Workers (PSWs) employed through the Home-Based Support Services (HBS) Program, unless there is a Live-In Exemption that has been approved and on record (IDHS: Live in Caregiver Exemption (Revised 11/20/23) (state.il.us)). Information regarding EVV can be found on the DDD EVV webpage: IDHS: Illinois' Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) (state.il.us). If EVV is not being actively utilized, or if there is not a Live-In Caregiver exemption on file, PSWs will soon have their payments stopped. Please email DHS.DDDEVV@illinois.gov with questions.
TIMELY REPORTING OF PSW TIMESHEETS
As a reminder, PSWs and employers must submit PSW timesheets to ACES$ within 3 months of the date of service, regardless of using EVV or having a live-in caregiver exemption. The use of EVV adds an additional layer of difficulty in processing timesheets when the 3-month timeline isn't followed so it's even more important to ensure EVV timesheets are submitted within the 3 months even if they were originally submitted timely. Hours submitted after the 3-month date of service timeframe will be denied in accordance with the Information Bulletin effective January 1, 2019. (IDHS: Timely reporting of Service Hours by Participant-Directed Personal Support Workers (state.il.us)). Please email DHS.DDDComments@illinois.gov with questions.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PAID LEAVE FOR ALL WORKERS ACT
As a reminder, effective January 1, 2024, provider agencies and employers in the DDD service system are required to comply with the requirements set forth in the Paid Leave for All Workers Act (IDHS: Paid Leave for All Workers (state.il.us)). With the implementation of this Act, employees are now able to earn and use up to a minimum of 40 hours of paid leave in a 12-month period. Employees may begin using their paid leave earned 90 days after the start of employment or March 31, 2024, whichever is later. Questions regarding the application of the Act can be directed to the Illinois Department of Labor at DOL.PaidLeave@illinois.gov.
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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