DDD Communication - Community Day Services Edition, June 22, 2020

Good Afternoon,

Since the announcement that Community Day Services will be closed through August 31,2020, I've received questions and comments from providers, individuals, family members and Associations.

Many have expressed gratitude for the Department's Reinvention Payments, which are helping closed providers to stay afloat financially. Others applaud our eye to safety. On the other hand, some would like to open (or return) sooner. I've heard excitement about the prospect of reinvention of services, generally, but also concerns about the timeline and expectations.

I want to make sure that we're all in this process together. Below I'm offering some clarifications and announcing ways we'll engage stakeholders in the process moving forward. I hope everyone reading this knows that I am committed to listening and engaging over all topics related to DDD. The best solutions are found through collaboration.


CDS CLARIFICATIONS

I want to be clear that I anticipate that CDS sites will reopen September 1. My announcement stated "at least" to give leeway in the event any region of the state has to return to more protective measures in the Restore Illinois Phase process. For example, CDS would not reopen September 1 if the State was under a Stay at Home order.

I also want to make it clear that the Division fully intends for site-based CDS to reopen.

The Division is working on guidance for CDS providers, including but not limited to:

  • Group setting maximums;
  • Disinfection, masking, and transportation; and
  • Assessing provider and individual readiness to return to CDS.

Reinventing IDHS will offer providers the opportunity to think differently about service provision generally - not just with CDS, but across waiver funded services. While the intent of the Division is for site-based CDS programs to reopen, the current long-term environment remains uncertain, especially in the event of a resurgence of COVID cases in the fall.

CDS programs should take this opportunity to creatively think about their services and how they may be able to modify or expand.

For example, CDS providers could consider becoming Agency-Based PSW providers so they can work with families and do programming outside of the CDS. Some residential providers may decide to build capacity using At-Home Day, 37U (which we just released guidance on last week).

Nobody has all the answers to what reinvention should look like. I am, however, interested in hearing innovative plans to make the system more flexible, person-centered and safe.

Finally, I understand that providers want guidance SOON. We are diligently working to get this done and hope to have guidance out by July 1.


CDS PROVIDER SURVEY

In order to understand CDS provider thoughts, the Division developed a survey to make it easy for you to provide feedback. You can find the link here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KVXGKPR

Please complete by June 30. With that said, we will begin reviewing survey results as soon as Friday, June 26 to help guide planning.


WEBINAR

You also may have received an invitation to a webinar that will occur THIS FRIDAY! Join me for a presentation and discussion on CDS and some of the ways the Division has been approaching the challenge of reopening safely.

The Webinar will be presented:

  • Friday, June 26, 2020
  • 2:00pm to 3:30 pm.

To sign up for the Webinar, please respond to the meeting invitation you should have received. If you are having difficulty for any reason in responding to or joining the WebEx meeting, please email Christina.Suggs@illinois.gov.

Due to technical limitations, attendance will be limited to the first one thousand registrants. If possible, please login to the meeting as a group if within the same provider agency.


DDAC INVOLVEMENT

Finally, the DD Advisory Committee will be meeting this Thursday to discuss CDS. This will be another good opportunity to discuss the process. We may also review some Division-developed tools for feedback. These are open meetings, and all are welcome.

Meeting information can be found here: https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=125260

I know these are challenging times. Please know the Division is working hard to make the system better.

We're in this together.

Warmly,

Allison