Good Morning,
QUICK NOTES
- Per IDPH, the preliminary seven-day statewide COVID-19 positivity XXX
- Reminder from the Bureau of Accreditation, Licensure and Certification (BALC) that CILA providers that 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 by September 30th!
- 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 here for the Waiver Renewals feedback session.
- An updated Supported Employment Information Bulletin which includes re-validation processes, along with specific provider letters on revalidating SEP billing will be mailed next week. Keep on the lookout. Questions email Casey Burke.
STAFFING CRISIS & PROVIDER OPERATIONS
Over the past several weeks we've heard from a number of our providers and Associations that the staffing crisis continues and is reaching critical levels. Coming into FY 22 the Division extended the temporary funding increases for residential and our Community Day Service providers but rolled back many of the regulatory relief provisions. There have been requests to consider the following:
- Specific DDD and BALC guidance in the event of an emergency agency closure due to lack of staff.
- Regulatory relief in areas of DSP training, staff credentialing, paperwork and other areas as allowable under the Appendix K.
The Division wants to hear provider feedback on the topic, and would appreciate providers sending their ideas, however small or big, that would make a positive impact on operations. Please also indicate interest in being on a workgroup to provide feedback and discussion relief strategies. You can reach out directly to me, Allison Stark.
WORK INCENTIVES AND PLANNING ASSISTANCE (WIPA) UPDATE
There are currently 3 agencies contracted with the Social Security Administration to provide Work Incentives Planning and Assistance to eligible beneficiaries who are residents of Illinois.
- Disability Rights Iowa
- Volunteers of America of Illinois
- Illinois Assistive Technology Program
Representatives from these WIPA entities are available to assist eligible individuals, who receive SSI or SSDI, in navigating the protection of health and cash benefits while entering the workforce.
To learn more about work incentive programs and to find information on the WIPA entity assigned to you, visit the WIPA page on the DDD Website.
IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY WORKGROUP
As our stakeholders are aware, the Division has contracted with the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) Institute on Disability and Human Development to evaluate our person-centered planning process for Adult DD Waiver recipients and to make recommendations for improvement. UIC is interested in reviewing Implementation Strategy templates, as well as receiving feedback on the possibility of creating standard Implementation Strategy template. If you are a provider and would like to share your Implementation Strategies template or you're interested in joining a workgroup to discuss the creation of a universal template, please contact Caitlin Crabb.
ILLINOIS CRISIS PREVENTION NETWORK (ICPN) LEARNING WEBINARS
The ICPN provides no cost webinars to provide support to staff and community members working with adults and children with challenging behaviors and/or medical difficulties. Goals include increasing the knowledge base and the provision of relevant strategies to all who serve and support people with IDD, while shifting the focus of treatment from crisis to prevention. Upcoming topics include topics on self-care, supporting transgender individuals with I/DD, Prader Willi Syndrome and trauma informed care. Participants can register for sessions at the ICPN website and click on the "Professional Development" tab. There is no cost to attend; no CEUs are provided.
RENTAL ASSISTANCE
The Illinois Rental Assistance Program is here to help keep individuals and families stably housed and ensure that tenants and Housing Providers/Landlords are financially secure to prevent a tide of evictions due to COVID-19. Renters whose primary residence is in Illinois and are behind on rent due to economic hardship caused by COVID-19, may be eligible for up to 15 months of rental payments to cover back-rent owed from June 2020 through August 2021. More information can be found at the Illinois Rental Assistance webpage.
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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