Good Afternoon,
Happy 2021! Wishing everyone a happy and healthy year ahead.
QUICK NOTES
- As of yesterday, the statewide rolling 7-day COVID-19 positivity rate was 8.5%.
- Make sure to check out the last couple of DDD Communications if you've been on holiday the past couple weeks: https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=78358
- Next week we'll be sending a schedule of monthly DDD training webinars that will run from February to June 2021. These trainings are meant to provide clarity on provider expectations for services and generally strengthen our service system. We would like all providers to ensure that at least 1 person from their organization attends. Details soon!
PPE FOR COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) will be distributing various types of personal protective equipment (PPE) to IDHS-funded community provider organizations in the new year. This distribution is in addition to the KN95 masks being distributed through Illinois Partners for Human Service. The PPE being made available to organizations includes:
- Isolation Gowns
- Nitrile Gloves
- Reusable Face Shields
- Shoe Coverings
- Surgical Masks
- Waterproof Elastic Disposable Hair Bonnets
- Disinfecting Wipes
- Hand Sanitizer
- Touch-Free Thermometers
Interested organizations must complete the online survey linked below. All surveys must be completed by January 20, 2021 in order to be eligible for PPE distribution.
The survey requires you to provide an overview of the services your organization provides along with an estimate of your monthly PPE needs. Based on the information you provide, we will distribute PPE to your organization as supplies are available and as your organization is able to accept the delivery. We estimate that providers will receive distributions on a monthly basis until supplies run out.
Please note: Supplies are limited. Filling out this survey does not guarantee you will receive all supplies indicated in your submission. IDHS will attempt to fulfill all requests but reserves the right to allocate the PPE based on Agency discretion and the type of setting in which your organization operates. Once you complete the survey, please allow roughly two to three weeks for initial receipt of PPE.
If you have questions about this process, please email DHS.PPE@illinois.gov,
PPE NEEDS SURVEY
NON-DISCRIMINATION IN MEDICAL TREATMENT, INCLUDING VACCINE ADMINISTRATION
Today, the State of Illinois released guidance that affirmed and supplemented the State of Illinois' April 10, 2020 Guidance Relating to Non-Discrimination in Medical Treatment for Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Federal and State civil rights laws, including the Illinois Human Rights Act, prohibit discrimination in the delivery of healthcare and support the rendering of ethical, non-discriminatory decisions. These principles have equal and ever-important application in the context of administering the COVID-19 vaccine. See the attached communication.
IDPH COVID-19 VACCINATION PLAN 4.0 & PHASES 1A & 1B CLARIFICATION
The Illinois Department of Public Health released the 4.0 version of the COVID-19 Vaccination Plan on December 31, 2020. This plan includes clarifications on CILAs in the 1a grouping. We encourage our providers to reach out to their local Health Departments (LHD) to work on vaccination scheduling. LHDs are managing this process directly.
Also, attached, please find an Restore Illinois Vaccine Distribution:1A and 1B Clarification document.
LIGAS COMPLIANCE TOOL REMINDER
At this time, all Plans of Corrective Action (POCAs) for ISC agencies and provider agencies should be submitted. The deadline for ISC agencies to submit the ISC Plans of Corrective Action to IDHS was November 30, 2020. The deadline for provider agencies to submit the provider Plans of Corrective Action to their ISC agency was December 31, 2020.
The deadline for ISC agencies to submit the Provider Plans of Corrective Action to IDHS is tomorrow, Thursday, January 7, 2021.
As a matter of next steps, the Court Monitor will begin the process of approving all Plans of Corrective Action. She will work with any ISC or provider agency on the Plan if updates are needed for approval. The Division will provide further information on that process soon. If you have any questions, please reach out to Cynthia SchierlSpreen, Bureau Chief for the Bureau of Quality Management, at Cynthia.schierlspreen@illinois.gov.
HRST PAYMENT ISSUES
The use of the electronic version of the HRST is required by Public Act 100-1111, which amended the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Since July 2019, the Division has provided agencies additional funds to cover the cost of having access to the electronic Health Risk Screening Tool (HRST) for all of their residential CILA clients.
We have received notification from HRS, Inc. that we continue to have a number of providers that have not paid their HRST invoices - and some are more than 90 days past due. Effective immediately, HRS will be notifying providers that are more than 90 days past due on payment that their access to the HRST will be restricted. Further, in order to reinstate access to the HRST, HRS, Inc. will be imposing a $250 reinstatement fee. The Division notified providers of this in our November 1, 2020 DDD Comments communication.
Thank you for all you do. Happy New Year!
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
To request to be added to our email database, or to update your contact and service information, please complete our Contact Survey at the following link:
https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?module=17&item=110637&surveyid=1458.
Information provided will help us to better tailor communications to you in the future.
